Dettori and Gosden poised for Jean Romanet glory with big improver

2.50 Deauville
Darley Prix Jean Romanet (Group 1) | 1m2f | 3yo+ fillies and mares | SSR

If ever there was a horse who should fit naturally into the French way of life, it is the John Gosden-trained Nazeef. This filly improved from 93-rated handicapper to Group 1 winner in four runs between September and July, carried there by a potent turn of foot.

The theory runs that French races put greater emphasis on the ability to quicken. It is a generalisation, of course, but one rooted in a cultural step-change that sees no greater crime than going for home too soon.

The filly who accelerated to the Falmouth should take all the stopping under Frankie Dettori which her cramped odds suggest in the Prix Jean Romanet.

That she was beaten upped to 1m2f last time is of no great concern. The Nassau was steadily run and Nazeef finished with her usual rattle, but had met traffic and looked a little inconvenienced early in the straight. The easiest diagnosis would be to blame the track.

Her style appears to stand in contrast with leading home hope Dariyma. She has always been well regarded but started to really reveal her potential only when winning a Listed race at Chantilly last time from the front.

A long strider and seemingly resolute galloper, she would make a handy exchange student with Nazeef. Christophe Soumillon might be advised to stretch rather than control from a handy draw in stall three.

A good gallop might also suit Ambition. She has won lesser Group races at Toulouse and Lyon-Parilly on her last two runs, travelling powerfully and just doing enough once shaken up. There is more improvement in her, granted the right conditions.
Keith Melrose, betting editor

What they say

Alain de Royer-Dupre, trainer of Dariyma
This looks the logical race but it's a case of whether we dare run on soft ground which she hasn't enjoyed previously. She is in good form but the track is very deep and if it looks too bad, then she won't run.

Angus Gold, racing manager to Hamdan Al Maktoum, owner of Nazeef
She seems to have a remarkable constitution; she takes her racing very well and has a great attitude. I think she's pretty tough and with any luck she is still in good form. The Nassau was strange to watch because I thought she was running a disappointing race before running on when she got to the flatter part. They very much felt she didn't enjoy coming down the hill. She certainly stays the trip and I think she'll handle some ease in the ground.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Bolleville
She was very good when winning at Leopardstown on her first start for us. She had been working nicely beforehand but it was obviously a hot race. She has form on slow ground, but it's a bit of a worry for me, so hopefully she can run well.

Bolleville and Shane Crosse pounce to land the feature TRI Equestrian Silver Stakes at LeopardstownCredit: Patrick McCann

Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte, trainer of Ambition
She has already won on heavy ground, though the ground is drying and I think it will not be nearly as deep as last weekend. It's difficult to say if she has improved because she's had quite a gap since the Corrida and it hasn't been easy to work her because we've had some really hot spells down in the south west.

James Fanshawe, trainer of Audarya
She's got a bit to find with Nazeef and some of the others but she is a filly that has always shown plenty of talent. This is the last opportunity to run when the three-year-olds are excluded, so that always helps. She is in good form and although the ground is a bit of an unknown, she won her last start in a handicap off top weight. We had the option of a going a mile at Sandown [in the Atalanta Stakes] but we think this trip suits her well.

Red Verdon back for more

Veteran stayer Red Verdon must – alongside San Huberto – concede a Group 2 penalty in the Darley Prix Kergorlay (3.25 SSR) over 1m7f, but has the assistance of Frankie Dettori as the pair bid to build on their win in at Longchamp last month.

Red Verdon and Frankie Dettori return to the winner's enclosure after winning the Prix Maurice de Nieuil at LongchampCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

Collide has his first start for David Simcock since being bought out of Hugo Palmer's yard by Australian Bloodstock, whose colours were carried to success in this race by Protectionist ahead of his Melbourne Cup triumph in 2014.

The Darley Prix de Pomone (4.00 Deauville) rounds off the Group race action for the day with Spirit Of Appin representing Brian Meehan and Mickael Barzalona.

The sole three-year-old in the line-up is Ebaiyra, who was not far away when sixth in the Prix de Diane Longines and who previously showed her liking for a mile and a half when dominating the Prix de Royaumont.

Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre said: "She was left a long way back in a slowly run race and, while she didn't run badly, I don't think she was able to show her best in the Diane. She would probably prefer a more galloping track but she needs to run and is in good form."
Reporting by Scott Burton

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