Can anything stop Saffron Beach from another Group 1 win in the Prix Rothschild?

2.33 Deauville
Prix Rothschild (Group 1) | 1m | 3yo+ F&M | Sky

The first of 16 meetings at Deauville during August is headlined by the first of five Group 1s at the track, the Prix Rothschild.

It is one of the weaker top-level contests the track hosts over the next four weeks and is perhaps less competitive than when the great Goldikova won the last of her four Prix Rothschild victories in 2011.

The last four favourites have won the race, recording Racing Post Ratings way behind the standard of the preceding ten years.

A revival could be on the cards, however, as both Saffron Beach and Tenebrism arrive with the sort of recent performances which would be up to scratch with the post-Goldikova days.

Weighing up the pair is complex. Tenebrism has the course form after winning the Prix Jean Prat just over three weeks ago. But that was over seven furlongs; she had dropped back from a mile after moderate runs in the 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes.

She has lots of speed and a straight mile will ask a question she has seemingly struggled with.

That straight mile is known to be no issue for Saffron Beach. She was second in the Guineas last year, won the Sun Chariot, and ran another career-best to win the Duke of Cambridge last time. That run gives her the form edge and the lack of course experience is rarely much of a concern at Deauville, which is flat and fair.

Those looking for an alternative might need to squint. Pearls Galore is not miles off on ratings, but she is five and has run as many times as the top two combined. She needs to improve and the last horse older than four to win this race was Goldikova herself.

The home challenge has the majority in numbers, but all have quite a bit to find on form.

There is at least one, however, who is bred for the job. This will be a first appearance at Group 1 level for Goldistyle, Goldikova's fifth foal.

Her best run came when beating Saffron Beach's stablemate and last week's Oak Tree runner-up Internationalangel in a Listed race at Longchamp in May.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

'We can't fault her training'

Jane Chapple-Hyam is relishing Saffron Beach's bid to land her a second top-level success at Deauville.

The four-year-old provided the Newmarket trainer with her landmark first win at the highest level in the Sun Chariot Stakes last October, and put on a dazzling display on her latest start when an impressive winner of the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Saffron Beach will make her first start in France in the mile contest under William Buick, who is unbeaten in two starts on the daughter of New Bay and set to return to action after two days on the sidelines with a sickness bug.

Chapple-Hyam believes her rivals have it all to do to beat her stable star.

Jane Chapple-Hyam: 'It's very important, especially for the owners [Ben Sangster, James Wigan and Ollie Sangster], who are breeders, that we get the right result for them.'Credit: Edward Whitaker

She said: "She's in very good order and travelled nicely down there, we're all very pleased. She's had no issues and we can't fault her training. We feel she's improved again and we're very hopeful."

A defence of her Sun Chariot crown and a possible trip to the Breeders' Cup could await Saffron Beach later this season, but Chapple-Hyam is eager for her to win at the top-level again at Deauville first.

"It's very important, especially for the owners [Ben Sangster, James Wigan and Ollie Sangster], who are breeders, that we get the right result for them in this," she added.

"They're all going to be there to see her race alongside myself and fingers crossed she can do the job for us."

Mile trip no issue for Tenebrism - O'Brien

Aidan O'Brien believes the step back up to a mile will be no problem for Tenebrism as she bids for another top level success after last month's win in the Prix Jean Prat.

Last year's Cheveley Park Stakes heroine had been well beaten in the 1,000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, but put her best foot forward when striding clear to beat the likes of Lusail and French 2,000 Guineas winner Modern Games over seven furlongs.

Tenebrism: was a ready winner of the Prix Jean Prat last timeCredit: © Aprh / Quentin Bertrand

While she is yet to win over a mile, O'Brien is confident she can stay the trip and land successive victories in the race for her trainer and jockey Ryan Moore, having won last year with Mother Earth.

O'Brien said: "She seems to be in good form since the last day; everything has gone well with her. We were delighted with her run at the track and we go back to a mile now, which should be no issue. I'm very happy with her."

What they say

Paddy Twomey, trainer of Pearls Galore
It's a race we've been targeting all year and hopefully her run at the Curragh the last day will leave her spot on. She's pretty versatile, so the ground should be no issue. Her owner's farm is in Deauville, so hopefully she can put up a bold show.

David Redvers, co-owner of Malavath
She seems to be really well and Francis [Graffard, trainer] is really happy with her. It's a tough contest but she showed some of her normal spark last time and we're hoping for a nice step forward.

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