3 minute read
Le Prix de Diane or French Oaks sees a great contest between raiders and locals.
The raider are headed by Charlie Fellows and his filly She's Perfect with all the connections having fingers crossed that what happened in the Guineas where she was first over the line and then got demoted by the stewards. Kieren Shoemark has the ride and quote in the UK is around 5/2.
The locals are headed by Mandanaba who was third in the Guineas. From the Estate of the Aga Khan she's trained by Francis Graffard who has three runners in the race and she will be ridden by Mickale Barzalona and they are on 3/1.
The Irish also are coming – not with necessarily their top 3yos as it is Ascot next week but two horses who could give this a shake. Bedtime Story is the No. 1 with Ryan Moore on the daughter of Frankel and Merrily with Epsom Derby winner Wayne Lordan on board probably intended as a pace maker.
Representing both side of the channel Andre Fabre's Better Together and since she's owned by Juddmonte their newly named chief jockey Colin Keane will be on board and the Oasis Dream filly is on 6/1.
There's several roughies with an interesting one being American Gal who is by Kameko and who has won here over 1600m. Ed Walker and Tom Marquand are her partners and at 20/1 she's worth a bit of each-way.
The weather looks great and while there was little rain on Friday they dodged the storms that were not far away and just received a small amount of rain so they watered but the track rating should be good – even good to fast. The key to this is which filly can get the trip and come home strongly. There is a slight bias in favour of the first six gates but that isn't really a major factor.