Expert Analysis

A well-contested Prix de Diane – the French equivalent of The Oaks at Epsom, if run at slightly shorter – but probably not an especially high-quality renewal, the principals finishing in something of a heap despite an earlier pace that was respectable on ground that was just on the easy side of good taken overall. The winner’s final 400m took 23.03s for a 105.6% finishing speed.

SPARKLING PLENTY (110 here, 107+ previously) stretched her stamina to this longer trip and again did fairly well to win as things unfolded, held up in rear but in touch and travelling well, switched outside with 450m to go and running on strongly to lead with 100m to go. A sister to the free-going Jersey winner Noble Truth, she would not be sure to get 2400m/12f and a turn of foot has been her trademark of late.

SURVIE (110 here, 102 previously) ran really well despite being about the first off the bridle, in mid-field and under stronger pressure with 400m to go but, switched and staying on to dispute the lead briefly late on.

TAMFANA (109 here and previously) ran to much the same level as in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, rather than improving on that form as had seemed likely, well ridden close up and leading narrowly from 400m out to 100m out, edging left briefly under pressure. Her sire, Soldier Hollow, was effective at 8f to 11f and that could be her sort of range also.

AVENTURE (109+ here and previously) may still prove the best of these, suffering more than most from being out wide but travelling well in mid-field (following a slowish start) and challenging around the 250m mark. A daughter of Sea The Stars, she had impressed when winning a Group 3 here the time before and still has potential back at 2400m/12f.

DARE TO DREAM (106+ here and previously) ran at least as well as previously despite never having a lot of room up the inner, switched and keeping on without getting in a blow. A daughter of Camelot and from the Danedream family, she should do better still at 2400m/12f.

BUBBLE GUM (103 here, ? previously) had been difficult to weigh up in non-Group company previously, winning her last 2, and probably ran at least as well here, close up and taking a hold, briefly short of room then one paced late on.

BIRTHE (103 here, 105 previously) was a little below the form of her Prix Saint-Alary win, forced a bit wide but improving to dispute the lead briefly around 400m out.

CANDALA (102 here and previously) stayed on from off the pace having been slowly away.

GALA REAL (102+ here and previously) may be worth another chance, this a tougher assignment than her odds implied and never quite on terms having been slowly away and briefly short of room around 500m out, showing useful form all the same.

L’EQUILIBRISTE (97 here and previously)

ROCK’N SWING (91 here, 102+ previously) was not helped by being forced wide and was checked after still looking quite threatening early in the straight but ultimately found little at this longer trip.

HALFDAY (91 here, 101 previously)

PARAIBA (91 here, ? previously)

DANCE SEQUENCE (81 here, 109 previously) needs treating with caution, running her second inexplicably poor race of the campaign (in cheekpieces this time), finding nothing when push came to shove.