NYSE Euronext Prix De l'Opera 2010

4.35 Longchamp

NYSE Euronext Prix De l'Opera (Fillies' Group 1) (3YO plus)
Winner €171,630 - 11 run -

Pick: Stacelita (win)

Board Meeting: Well beaten on both starts this year but would surely take major hand based on efforts in Vermille and this last season, only a couple of lengths behind good fillies in Stacelita and Shalnnaya; Third in Prix Jean Romanet augurs well although this just as hard.

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 and Prix Jean Romanet, but soft ground hardly a great help to her chances of reversing form.

Lush Lashes: Was once great filly before Retirement, winning three Group 1 races, the Coronation Stakes, the Yorkshire Oaks and the Matron at Leopardstown, finishing second in the Nassau and this; Lost form and was retired before having been brought back after losing her baby to Sea The Stars; Has run well to be fourth on both runs since her break, especially in a good race last time at the Curragh; Not discounted.

Fleur Enchante: Won 2 starts ago 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 before winning Prix Jean Romanet and should be nearly impossible to beat under ground conditions here.

Rosanara: Showed immense promise when landing debut race and then Marcel Boussac in good style, although little disappointing when beaten into third on final start in Gran Criterium (soft ground not suit); Has been running consistently this season with a fourth in the French 1,000 Guineas and then coming second to stable-companion Sarafina in the Prix de Diane, but lacklustre run in Nassau leaves lot to think about with chances.

Field Day: Winner of 3 of her 5 starts (runner-up on other 2); Created deep impression by winning good back-end maiden (has worked out well) before running well in 2 handicaps this year, going down well on the first run, before winning handily last time; Has stepped up into Group company with demolition of listed field and was unlucky not to win last time, but this at a new trip is going to be much harder for her.

Lily Of The Valley: Deserves a crack at this, having been four out of four this year, rising in class each time; Only just pipped Nassau fifth Contrednase at Deauville last time (impressing how she still has to improve to take a big hand) but going right way and surely more to come.

Elle Shadow: With only 2 wins to her name (although one of those is against male opposition) it may seem hard to rate her form highly, but German runners have a great record in this and not to be underestimated.

Nouryia: Has been in some fine form this year, deifying a penalty to bring up her hat-trick and record a Listed double in the John Musker Fillies' Stakes last time out; Did win that on soft last time out, and likely to improve again.

Dariole: Looked progressive when winning the Prix Penelope and connection fancied her enough to pay 15,000 Euros to get into the Prix Saint Alary, but has had her limitations fairly well exposed now and looks like a back marker.


VERDICT: A strong and interesting UK & Irish Challenge is headed by Nouriya and Lush Lashes, with Field Day looking interesting, but STACELITA is a beast of a mare on soft ground and can win again to confirm recent Deauville superiority over Antara, Board Meeting and Fleur Enchantee.