Prix De Diane 2011

2.30 Chantilly

Prix De Diane - Longines (Group 1) (3yo Fillies) (Turf) (3yo)

Winner £418,698 Distance : 1m2f110y

Pick : Golden Lilac (win)

Shareta: Was only having her second run when bumping into Galikova on seasonal, and has since beaten Andromeda Galaxy at Chantilly; Connections have excellent record in this and reported to have improved since, but still looks pretty well held on earlier form (received 3lbs from Galikova).

Andromeda Galaxy: Made a faultless winning debut in a newcomers' event at Longchamp and was expected to make it 2-2 last time out but well covered by Shareta;  Was giving away 3lb to Shareta on that occasion, so may be able to reverse the placings and significant that Christophe Soumillion has missed Prix Du Jockey Club to ride her; Overpriced at 20’s.

Haya Landa: Didn’t back up relatively promising debut when only sixth next time out but won for first time stepped up to 10 furlongs at Longchamp latest; Has little or no chance in this field.

Golden Lilac: Unbeaten in four 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 putting race to bed with ease; Exceptional winner of French Guineas last time out, quickening brilliantly off prominent position to leave field for dead; Some raised small question of new trip but has major chance here if carrying speed.

Wavering: Dramatic improver this season,  4&1/2 lengths behind Andromeda Galaxy on her debut before winning in cosy style; Made late progress (although never threatening) when third in Prix Cleopatre, before only just getting up to win Prix Saint Alary (Epic Love in second) latest;  Looks held on form although probably improving and unwise to dismiss.

Glorious Sight: Had looked exposed but two best efforts of career have come the last twice, when second in French Guineas (easily beaten) by Golden Lilac; There until the end of the Prix Saint Alary, and while she will give her running, is held by more than a few here.

Epic Love: Progressive; produced a fine turn of foot when catching La Pernelle by a head in the Group 3 Prix Vanteaux & looked set to claim Prix Saint Alary when beating off all but Wavering in last furlong; Another unwise to dismiss but looks held.

Galikova: Abundance of promise at 2 when once winner and fifth in Marcel Boussac (too inexperienced) & has delivered on that so far as 3yo, winning conditions contest with plenty to spare over Shareta (gave 3lbs) at Saint Cloud and devastatingly impressive when landing Prix Cleopatre with authority (well ahead of subsequent Group 1 winner Wavering); Holds outstanding clams based on those efforts.

Polemique: Pacemaker for Galikova.

VERDICT: Plenty of useful horses in attendance for a strong renewal, and one that on form may rest between two potentially exceptional horses in Galikova and GOLDEN LILAC. The former is a guaranteed stayer & potential star but the latter left such a deep impression in the French Guineas that she gets the vote today. Wavering & Epic Love are likely to offer most resistance but Andromeda Galaxy is well overpriced at her current odds.