A case can be made for several of these fillies in what looks a terrific renewal. A runner-up in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, Laurens took the step up to 1m2f in her stride to win the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary at Longchamp last month though Karl Burke’s filly beat the re-opposing With You by only a neck. The latter will appreciate the forecast soft going and stablemate Luminate will also handle the ground with connections calling on the services of Frankie Dettori. HAPPILY finished just behind Laurens at Newmarket before a slightly disappointing effort in the Irish 1000 Guineas. But she was a dual Group 1 winner in testing ground last year and with this extra distance also expected to suit, we may well see the Ballydoyle filly back to her very best. Shahnaza represents leading connections in France and won a Listed trial at Longchamp in good style while Andre Fabre’s Godolphin filly Musis Amica was a fast finishing sixth in the French 1000 Guineas and this extra distance looks well within her compass on that evidence.
Shahnaza (FR) (8-12) won at Longchamp 1m 3f lst stks gf in May beating Pollara (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Happily (IRE) 5-4fav (9-0) Chased leaders, pushed along in 4th 2 1/2f out, soon ridden, dropped to 5th 1f out, kept on well without threatening in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Alpha Centauri (9-0) at Curragh 1m Grp 1 fll (1) gd in May.
Laurens (FR) (8-13) won at Longchamp 1m 2f Grp 1 gs in May beating With You (8-13) by shd, 5 ran.
Castellar (FR) (8-11) won at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in May beating Amazing Lips (8-11) by shd, 9 ran.
Homerique (USA) (8-13) 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Luminate (8-13) at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f Grp 3 stks sft in May.
Musis Amica (IRE) (8-13) 6th of 14, 1 1/4l behind Teppal (8-13) at Longchamp 1m Grp 1 (1) gd in May.
Amazing Lips (IRE) (8-11) 2nd of 9, shd behind Castellar (8-11) at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in May.
Luminate (IRE) (8-13) 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Castellar (8-11) at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in May.
Lady Athena (FR) (8-12) won at Chantilly 1m 2f stks gd in May beating Fuse (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Assonance (FR) (8-12) 3rd of 9, 3 1/4l behind Lady Athena (8-12) at Chantilly 1m 2f stks gd in May.
With You (8-13) 2nd of 5, shd behind Laurens (8-13) at Longchamp 1m 2f Grp 1 gs in May.
Barkaa (FR) (8-13) 5th of 14, 1 1/4l behind Teppal (8-13) at Longchamp 1m Grp 1 (1) gd in May.
Soustraction (IRE) (8-13) 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Laurens (8-13) at Longchamp 1m 2f Grp 1 gs in May.