French 1,000 Guineas 2011

2.08 Longchamp

Poule D'Essai Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) (Fillies' Group 1) (Class 1)  (3YO only)

Winner €309,735

Pick: Golden Lilac (win)

Helleborine: Demolished opposition in first three starts and was backed like defeat was out of the question when second in Prix Marcel Boussac on last run as a juvenile; Well beaten behind Moonlight Cloud on debut but that a decent effort on which she can improve today and bold show anticipated; Trainer’s record in this phenomenal (she has won this on no fewer than seven occasions).

Maqaasid: Showed immense promise on debut and realized that very quickly when winning Queen Mary Stakes in course record time, but failed to build on that when failing to stay in both the Lowther and Chevley Park Stakes; Has trained on in no uncertain terms this season, bettering her trial third when filling same position in 1,000 Guineas last time (could have gotten better trip); Strong form credentials but wide draw disconcerting.

Etive: Plenty of decent form (runs with about two of three different horses in this, all of whom she finished well behind) and her latest second to subsequent winner Modern History reads well; That said, she needs to improve a lot to make the frame or better.

Mixed Intention: Found steady improvement this year with racing, winning pair of listed events in good style at Canges Sur Mer (disqualified) before good second to Golden Lilac here latest, unable to live with her turn of foot; No reason why that for should be reversed.

Rimth: Produced fine turn of foot to maiden over 5f & has since bettered that form in high grade, coming third in the Lowther (form worked out) and second in the Dick Poole Stakes; Ran a stinker at Ayr but clear best of rest behind Hooray in Cheveley Park (ahead of Maqaasid); Showed she’d trained on when clear cut winner of Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury last time and supplementary entry for his speaks volumes, although not certain stayer of this trip and still ease in ground to make sure it’s a test of stamina.

Miss Liberty: Unable to build on promise of first three runs when out of the frame in two pattern races last backend; Didn’t really cut any ice over a sprint trip on reappearance and stamina is questionable.

Golden Lilac: Unbeaten in three starts, having won cosily on both runs at two before running out an easy winner of the Prix de la Grotte, travelling easily throughout before beating 3 previous listed winners and a Group 3 performer; Has a favourable draw and should improve for the experience, so the one to beat.

Zoowraa: Transferred to inform yard of Al Zarooni having ended her juvenile season with clear-cut victory in the Listed Radley Stakes at Newbury last October; Form of that race has been badly exposed but plenty to like and holds many similarities with stable’s 1,000 Guineas winner Blue Bunting; That said, wide draw dampens enthusiasm majorly.

Epsrita: Looked filly with a future when winning Prix Reservoirs with ease on final two year old start, and sent off a warm order for the Prix La Grotte off the back of that performance but unable to find an answer to Golden Lilac last time out and others preferred.

Wild Wind: Ran with credit for much of last season and has come back in good form this year, with Group 3 and listed seconds; Form is respectable but she looks exposed and will do well to be winning.

Nova Hawk: Steadily progressive as a juvenile, coming runner up in pair of listed races at backend of last year; Impressive winner of Prix La Camargo on seasonal reappearance and bettered that when fourth in 1,000 Guineas last time; Well behind Maqaasid but could get closer this time with nice draw and another that needs considering.

Nova Step: Two time winner at three who ended up well beaten behind Esprita on her final juvenile outing, form that leaves her a long way behind best of these; Reportedly made too much use of after winning debut in Imprudence last time but still some way behind Helleborine so percentage call is to leave her out.

Mamibia: Won four of her seven starts as a juvenile including the Group 3 Prix du Calvados; That said still well beaten in Marcel Boussac behind Helleborine and showed nothing on seasonal debut, so others preferred.

Sharnberry: Has shown ability, impressing when wiping floor easily with moderate opposition in dead-ground Lingfield maiden with a good bit to spare last August; Well behind Rimth in Cheveley Park & although she looked as if she was going to win Fred Darling at one point, but well picked up by Rimth and hard to imagine her reversing form.

Glorious Sight: Short head winner of listed contest and three time winner overall, but looked short of speed when well behind Golden Lilac last time and pacemaker for Immortal Verse.

Immortal Verse: Impressive winner of debut conditions race at Deauville and best of rest behind key player Helleborine in Prix D’Amule; Given way that race has worked out, disappointing on return despite poor trip hindering her and likely to need further.

VERDICT: A fiercely contested renewal. With a 16 runner field angling for position into the first bend, the draw will be crucial. There’s a pacemaker in the shape of Glorious Sight, they should go a good gallop. Many strong lines of form and GOLDEN LILAC showed star quality when obliterating her field in the big trial for this, the Prix La Grotte. With improvement to come, she should prove very hard to beat from an excellent draw. The strongest form claims are held by Maqaasid and Helleborine, and while both should go well, enthusiasm is dampened by poor draws for both and it’s the same case with Zoowraa. Rimth might find this a bit far for her while Nova Hawk is held on the Guineas form.