Candala (Fr)

Quite fittingly, a pair of group-winning Europeans have made the trip over the Atlantic for Saturday's GI Queen Elizabeth Challenge Cup Stakes, headed by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's Soprano (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). Trained by George Boughey, the 3-year-old filly was last seen finishing 1 1/2-lengths in third behind winner Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio) and Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) in the one-mile G1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown Sept. 14. That form alone would justify another look at this Irish-bred filly given that Porta Fortuna is a multiple Group 1...

   Firmly back on track following her blip in the Musidora, George Strawbridge's Friendly Soul (GB) (Kingman {GB}--In Clover {GB}, by Inchinor {GB}) backed up her latest win in Ascot's G3 Valiant Stakes with another in Sunday's G2 Sumbe Prix Alec Head at Deauville. Returning to the 10-furlong trip over which she had impressed in Newmarket's Listed Pretty Polly Stakes and disappointed in York's Oaks trial in May, the John and Thady Gosden-trained homebred was sent to the front soon after the start by Kieran Shoemark as she had been...

Sent off the 11-10 favourite for Saturday's G2 Prix de Malleret at ParisLongchamp, Gerard Augustin-Normand's G1 Prix de Diane runner-up Survie (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) justified that faith to record a notable black-type breakthrough win. Content to follow the pace early, the Nicolas Clement-trained homebred was asked to take control 300 metres from the finish as Candala (Fr) (Frankel {GB}) became ensnared in traffic to her right and needed no second invitation en route to a 1 1/4-length success from Mosaique (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}). Candala, who met with abundant trouble in...

Per usual, entrants in the latest Classic on the European calendar run the gamut from blueblooded homebreds and auction purchases at a range of prices. The luckless Tamfana is returning off her fourth in the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas, and is one of the leading fancies, and there are several fresh shooters that will be trying Group 1 company for the first time from France and farther afield. Last year, Churchill's Blue Rose Cen took the G1 Prix de Diane Longines, and the Coolmore stallion is represented by the group-placed...

Fourteen 3-year-old fillies will head to post for Sunday's €1,000,000 G1 Prix de Diane Longines after final declarations were made Thursday morning. David Menuisier representative and likely favourite Tamfana (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), who was last seen running fourth in Newmarket's G1 1000 Guineas, has been allocated stall four. His Highness The Aga Khan's G3 Prix de la Grotte winner Candala (Fr) (Frankel {GB}) is towards the outside in 12 while Godolphin's Andre Fabre trainee Rock'n Swing (GB) (Camelot {GB}) was drawn next door in 13. Godolphin is double-handed with...

It is 16 years since The Aga Khan enjoyed the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches-G1 Prix de Diane double with Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar) and there was a genuine sense at ParisLongchamp on Sunday that he has a live prospect for a repeat. While the afternoon's G3 Prix de la Grotte winner Candala (Fr) (Frankel {GB}--Candarliya {Fr}, by Dalakhani {Ire}) can not yet be placed in the same bracket as that former luminary, the manner of her re-entry suggests that she is going to be one of the season's leading lights...

France's key mile Classic trials take place on Sunday, with ParisLongchamp hosting the G3 Prix de la Grotte and G3 Prix de Fontainebleau over the same course and distance of next month's G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and Poulains. The Grotte sees some major names among the generation's fillies making their seasonal return, led by China Horse Club International's G1 Prix Marcel Boussac runner-up Rose Bloom (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Alain Jathiere's G3 Prix des Reservoirs winner Tulipa Chope (Fr) (Born To Sea {Ire}). The Aga Khan's four-length...