Qatar Prix De Royallieu 2012

1.30 Longchamp

Qatar Prix De Royallieu (Fillies' Group 2) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner €143,024

Advice: 1 pt win Mrytlewood (14/1 general)

Preferential: Listed winner at Chantilly latest (this trip, good ground) but behind Forces Of Darkness and La Conquerate at Davuille and others make more appeal.

Dalkala: Deeply impressive wins (went three from her first three earlier in season) had put down big future but not so good the last twice, although those two runs were a step up in class; Little bit disappointing last time given how much was in her favour but must be respected here nonetheless.

Forces Of Darkness: Had looked flattered by good ride in slowly run Prix Saint Alary when only half a length behind Sagarawara, but backed that up when fourth (ahead of Dalakala) in Prix Diane and then when winning Prix Minerve; Must be respected.

Mtrylewood: Got there in the nick of time on debut and then stepped up into Listed company straight away at Clairefontaine where she disappointed a little; Only fifth last time but was forced wide for her run in sprint finish and does look capable of much better here; Fact that Fabre sends her means that she must be respected.

Grace Of Dubai: Just ahead of Myrtlewood latest but had a better run than Fabre filly and all other form leaves her exposed; Former preferred.

Shirocco Star: Ran a blinder in Oaks when second to Was, having been too keen and interrupted at the top of Epsom Hill before failing to get past was by a neck; Slammed into second by Princess Highway at Ascot although she was drawn poorly and had little to no cover all the way ground; Since gone well in Irish and Yorkshire Oaks, and addition of blinkers might be blessing in disguise so give close look.

Coquet: One of the biggest hard luck stories in the Oaks when given literally no run all the way round and too keen for her own good; Last of six in Yorkshire Oaks but better when third in Newbury Arc trial; Not sure she wants this ground and others make more appeal.

La Conquerante: Just a half-length behind Forces Of Darkness last time out but had been well held by Dalakala a few months back and while testing ground might prove a help for her chances, others preffered.

VERDICT: Surprisingly, there are no older horses in today’s renewal. Shirocco Star is a worthy favourite and with Hughie Morrison having a 25% strike rate for horses in first time blinkers, she must be greatly respected but Andre Fabre’s MRYTLEWOOD is an interesting runner at 14/1. Forced to go wide in a sprint finish last time out, it might be notable that Andre Fabre – who has won the race 4 of the last 9 times he’s had a runner in it – persists with sending her here. Dalakala deserves significant respect coming from a yard that has won two of the last three renewals here, although she would be much more at home on faster ground.