Prix Marcel Boussac 2013

1.20 Longchamp

Total Prix Marcel Boussac (Fillies' Group 1) (Class 1)  (2YO only)

Winner €171,631

Advice: 1 pt win Lestalk In Paris (4/1 Ladbrokes) 1 pt each/way Idonesienne (16/1 Boylesports) 

Veda: Typically well bred and encouraging after just one start, following directly in the path of previous two Aga Khan winners after winning newcomers event over C&D (same race that Zarkava took), with first two clear of the rest; Has to be respected here given cosy manner in which she beat favourite and runner up.

Sandiva: Won three of her four starts in good style, an impressive winner of Prix Du Cavaldos last time after her second in Albany Stakes at Ascot, where she was a clear second but had simply no answer to Kiyoshi there; One could argue that form’s been let down by her subsequent defeats and she was blown away by that rival, but won all other starts in style of a fine horse and should go well if coping with this ground; Mile looks sure to see.

Hoku: Helpful that her seven length win came on soft ground, but done all her racing at 6 furlongs and always been aggressively ridden there; This a totally different test for her and much stronger opposition to cope with here.

Testina: Clearly much better suited towards 1m judged by her easy Saint-Cloud win having been twice second over 7 furlongs before, but this a huge leap up in class for her and hard to see her getting involved.

Kenzadargent: Took six starts to get off the mark but finally broke her duck at Vaichy in 7f listed event, but then well behind when fifth of seven to Lesstalk In Paris in fillies 1m Group 3 at Chantilly latest and hard to see her reversing that form.

Lesstalk In Paris: Impressed on debut with sharp turn of foot despite drifting towards her right in closing stages to win easily and even more takking when landing Prix d’Aumale latest, blocked from 3 furlongs out until the last 110 yards but still getting there in nick of time impressively; That makes her one of the main contenders here and will take some beating if given clear run today.

Majeyda: Looked a very good one on debut before disappointing in 6 furlong Newmarket event; Made amends in good style at Sandown but no match for May Hill winner and looks short of the required standard here.

Wonderfully: Looked like she’d be a serious horse at a mile on debut and when winning Leoaprdstown Group 3, and still a feeling that we’ve not seen everything from her (hampered badly in Moyglare, and found slowly run Fillies’ mile well against her) but no idea of how she copes with softer surface and does look exposed.

Stormyra: Raced at pattern level exclusively so far, but no answer to Sandiva in Deavuille Group 3 in August and came up short against Colts latest; Look elsewhere.

Princess Bavaroise: Not hard to be impressed with easy wins last twice over 5 and 6 at Vichy and Baden-Baden respectively in Listed and sales event, but this a big difference in trip and most likely class, even if soft ground should be no problem for her; Would ideally have given stronger signs that trip suited.

Queen Catrine: Efforts of group placed finishes at Newmarket, Ascot and York last thrice all read well enough but not sure she wants this trip and others look more progressive to add to that too; Best to look elsewhere.

Idonesienne: Looked a group race winner on debut when smashing opposition at Bordeaux on the bridle and while she was turned over next time, faced a tough task trying to give away 4lbs to subsequent Group 3 winner Miss France at Chantilly (went down by and a ¼ lengths), form that now looks very decent; This ground a new test for her but certaintly been overlooked and well capabale of outrunning her price today.

Royalmania: Most impressive performance in the field (visually) when obliterating her field on Deavuille debut by a striking eight lengths with little urging; Followed up at 1/5 next time on softer surface but forced to work much harder in conditions contest which doesn’t look the strongest; Obviously a major player today however.

VERDICT: As ever, an intriguing renewal with promise and form amongst the leading contenders in equal measure. LESSTALK IN PARIS brings both to the table, having had to wait for a gap for well over a furlong before sealing the Prix d’Amule within the final furlong, and with more surely in the locker, she gets the vote in a hot looking race. Compelling cases can be made for both Veda and Royalmania, while the ground is a worry for Sandiva, but IDONSIENNE, who tried to give 4lbs to subsequent Group 3 winner Miss France at Chantilly, has been well overlooked and can outrun a hefty double figure price for the Werthemiers.