Goldikova: could only finish fourth in last year's Prix d'Ispahan

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker/racingpostpix.comr  

Goldikova and Stacelita to clash in d'Ispahan

France: A clash of the titans is on the cards at Longchamp on Sunday after Goldikova and Stacelita were declared for the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan, in which both will be making their seasonal debuts.

Freddie Head: trains Goldikova

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker  

Trainer Freddie Head used the race as a starting point for Goldikova last year but she could only finish fourth on heavy ground.

She then won three Group 1s before being surprisingly beaten in the Prix de la Foret. That was only a warm up for the Breeders' Cup and the daughter of Anabaa bounced back in tremendous style by landing back-to-back triumphs at Santa Anita.

Stacelita won the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary at this meeting a year ago before winning the Prix de Diane - the French Oaks - at Chantilly. After being awarded the Prix Vermeille by the stewards, the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained filly finished seventh in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

That pair will face eight rivals in the d'Ispahan including Godolphin's Alexandros, while the in-form Andre Fabre saddles Khalid Abdullah's Byword.

Francois Doumen: Saint-Alary hope

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker  

As expected, Dariole and T'As D'Beaux Yeux were supplemented for the Montjeu Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary, for which nine fillies will go to post.

The Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile winner Hibaayeb represents Godolphin and Francois Doumen runs On Verra.

Doumen has also declared Kasbah Bliss for the Group 2 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier.

Godolphin have supplemented Kite Wood and the other British-trained runners are Buxted and Electrolyser.

The ground was described as good at Longchamp on Thursday and clerk of the course Christian Delporte is likely to water on Friday.