A trappy contest with the market dominated by two high class fillies. BLUE ROSE CEN has swept all before her in her native France so far this season, winning the French Guineas and Oaks, and was most impressive when romping home in the latter last time out. Bad ground is no problem for her and, although this is a fair bit tougher, she is the one to beat.
NASHWA won this last year, as well as last year’s French Oaks, and bounced right back to her best last time out having made a dull start to the season. She had the benefit of cover from a headwind last time, but was well on top, beating a good 3-year-old by a long way, winning in a very fast time. It might be that she wants holding up and riding for a turn of foot now – as she was in this last year – and she is the highest rated filly in the field.
AL HUSN beat Nashwa last time out on the all-weather and is getting better all the time. She needs another step forward and very bad ground may not play to her strengths.
ABOVE THE CURVE looks like one who needs the front two in the market to underperform to land her second Group 1. She wasn’t far behind Nashwa in the l’Opera on soft ground last year and front-running could help her close the gap on those rated above her.
CAERNARFON ran well in two Classics and didn’t really have things pan out in a messy race at Ascot last time out. A return to soft ground will suit her and she might be able to outrun big odds.
