Darley Prix Jean Romanet 2010

3.15 Deauville
Darley Prix Jean Romanet (fillies' Group 1) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner €172,075 - 8 run

Picks: Stacelita (win), Shalanaya (each/way)

Shalanaya: Evidently slow learner last year, getting well beaten on first start in Group company last year but seriously progressive after that, creating a surprise when running out the 20-1 winner of the Opera last October and coming an unlucky fourth in the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup in Japan; Looked as good as ever when coming second to Cutlass Bay In Prix Ganay but well below par in Prince Of Wales’s Stakes; If back to form, major player.

Rainbow Dancing: Looks exposed on all evidence.

Board Meeting: Well beaten on both starts this year but would surely take major hand based on efforts in Vermille and L’Opera last season, only a couple of lengths behind major form players in Stacelita and Shalnnaya; One to keep note of if market signals right move.

Anatara: Promising Godolphin recruit who romped home with German group event when last seen there; Made perfect start for Goldophin when winning Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom (gave 3lbs to Reggane)and ran respectable race in Windsor Forest; Better effort in Nassau last time out, but seemingly well held behind Stacelita.

Reggane: Ran excellent races last season, and Coronation Stakes second is an effort as good as any; Has been disappointing his year due to mitigating circumstances and while booking of Maxime Guyon is plus point, looks like she hasn’t trained on.

Celimane: Came with a beautifully timed late run to frustrate favourite Shemiyla in the Group 3 Prix de Flore at Saint-Cloud last year and has only gotten better since, progressing to a Group 1 fourth behind Plumania; Needs to pull out a little more as this is no easier.

Fleur Enchante: Won last time but has suffered last 5 defeats in Grade 3 or lesser company; Bypassed here.

Stacelita: Developed into a top class 10f – middle distance filly last year, romping him in Prix Saint Alary and French Oaks before very respectable efforts in Vermille and Arc (1m4f not suiting); Fair effort when fourth behind Goldikova but looked on way back to best when comfortably landing odds in Group 3 at Longchamp; Excellent second behind Midday and should take the beating under ideal conditions.

VERDICT: A good renewal with 3 high class fillies in attendance and a solid field of older performers. Conditions should be ideal for STACELITA, who looked back to something near her best when second to Midday in the Nassau last time, getting slightly impeded in the process. The winner has since won the Yorkshire Oaks and Stacelita should get back to winning ways, as she has the progressive Antara held on form. The biggest danger maybe a back to form SHALANAYA, who should not be ingored at an each/way price of 13/2.