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The Aga Khan silks head the betting in Sunday’s Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches at Longchamp, where Zarigana will be hoping to provide the first Group 1 victory for the green-and-red colours since the passing of HRH The Aga Khan.
Francis-Henri Graffard is doubly represented coming into the premier mile contest. Zarigana, a grand-daughter of Arc heroine Zarkava, suffered her sole career defeat when a nose second behind Vertical Blue in the course and distance Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac as a juvenile. She returned after a winter break with a narrow success in the traditional trial, the Group 3 Prix de la Grotte, ahead of the re-opposing Shes Perfect and shaped better than the winning distance of a neck would suggest.
Mandanaba, to be ridden by Maxime Guyon and owned by Princess Zahra Aga Khan, boasts an unbeaten record after two career starts. From the first crop of champion miler Ghaiyyath and out of three-time Group 1 heroine Mandesha, the filly was an easy winner at Chantilly as a juvenile and demonstrated her raw ability and stamina when scoring in the 1m1f Group 3 Prix Vanteaux. A likely future Prix de Diane candidate, the filly made all in her last outing and should be able to dictate terms from the front – a possible advantage over her stablemate in a thirteen-runner contest.
Champion trainer André Fabre is represented by the promising Better Together, who has not suffered a defeat since her debut at Deauville in July. The daughter of Oasis Dream has since gone from strength to strength, winning the Listed Prix Zeddaan before a reappearance success in the seven-furlong Group 3 Prix Imprudence – successfully used as a stepping stone by Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner Ervedya in 2015.
Fabre said: "Better Together hasn't met the best of her generation yet, but she has done everything right. She goes into this race fresh and in good form, and she should play an important role."
Irish maestro Aidan O'Brien usually sends a strong squad to Paris, but he will be looking for a first victory in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches since Rose Gypsy in 2001. The Ballydoyle trainer will be represented by Frankel duo Exactly and Bedtime Story, alongside No Nay Never's Merrily. Whilst Exactly, third in the Prix Marcel Boussac, is the fancied of the trio, attentions will inevitably drawn to stablemate Bedtime Story. Out of Group 1 winning sprinter Mecca's Angel, the filly was an emphatic nine-and-a-half length victor of the Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot before adding two further Group successes to her tally. Disappointing on her final two runs of the season, the grey will be on a redemption mission for her reappearance as a three-year-old.
Best of the British will be the Charlie Fellowes-trained Shes Perfect, who earnt her place in the line-up after a narrow defeat to Zarigana in the Group 3 Prix de la Grotte. She
remains unexposed after only three starts and partnered again by Kieran Shoemark, connections will be hoping that she can reverse the form with her Aga Khan-owned rival.
Fellowes said: "Shes Perfect is in great order and looks a million dollars," said Fellowes. "She's come on for her run and has a lovely draw in six which should make things relatively simple,
"I couldn't be happier with her. I'm very happy with both horses, who have travelled over good and settled into Longchamp well."
