Diamond Necklace 4-6 for Prix de Diane as 11 declared for Chantilly Classic

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Karl Burke is eyeing Classic glory in the €1 million Prix de Diane Longines after Evolutionist’s final piece of work ahead of Sunday’s Chantilly showpiece.

Last month’s 1,000 Guineas runner-up gave Shane Foley such a good feel that Burke was left to question whether he had been right to take Evolutionist out of the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot over a mile after deciding, along with owners Ace Stud, to prioritise France’s version of the Oaks.

Evolutionist was among 11 declared for the Diane on Thursday and will be one of the main rivals to the Aidan O'Brien-trained Diamond Necklace, who bids to complete the French Classic double following her success in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches four weeks ago.

“Shane came to ride her in a piece of work on Tuesday – her last piece of work before Sunday – and he was very taken with her,” said Burke. “She's getting stronger all the time.

True Love was well on top at the end of the 2,000 Guineas

Evolutionist and Shane Foley (green cap) chase home True Love in the 1,000 GuineasCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"I think she'll get stronger as the year goes on, but she's certainly a stronger filly now than she was in May at Newmarket.”

Burke added: “It was a case of either going to Royal Ascot or going for the Prix de Diane. The way she worked, there was a slight doubt as to whether we should be going to Royal Ascot over the mile. But we made a decision a while ago, and we took her out of the Coronation at the last forfeit stage.

“I slightly regretted that, or at least had a bit of a question mark in my mind as to whether it was a wise move. But we're committed to the Prix de Diane and we're 90 per cent confident she'll stay the trip.”

Karl Burke is hoping Evolutionist can give him a second Prix de Diane victory, eight years on from LaurensCredit: France Galop / SCOOPDYGA

Burke has enjoyed notable success in France, with victory in the 2018 Diane the highlight of three Group 1s in the country for Laurens, while overall eight of his 21 wins at the highest level have come across the Channel.

In a media call organised by France Galop, he revealed he had seriously contemplated moving from North Yorkshire to France after he was handed a year’s suspension by the BHA in July 2009 for passing inside information to a banned individual.

“I actually did part of the modules to get a French licence when I picked up the suspension,” said Burke. “I was pretty disillusioned with racing over here [in Britain].

“We thought about putting Spigot Lodge on the market, and we went and viewed property in France. I did the modules at the same time as Francis Graffard and I got to know him a little at that time. But it was not to be and, as it turned out, it was probably the right decision to stay.”

Diamond Necklace (Christophe Soumillon) beats Green Spirit in the Prix Marcel Boussac

Diamond Necklace will bid for a third French Group 1 on SundayCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Coral go just 4-6 after Diamond Necklace and Ryan Moore drew a prime spot in stall three, with stablemate Moments Of Joy in stall eight under Wayne Lordan.

The visitors make up the majority of the line-up, which equals the smallest field since Golden Lilac beat eight rivals in 2011.

Further depth to the British-trained challenge comes in the shape of Felicitas for Ed Walker in stall seven, Lilt (William Haggas) who is drawn ten, and Inis Mor who is just inside Evolutionist in four.

James Doyle has received the call-up from Brian Meehan for Esna, who will break from the outside berth of 11 and is one of three principals from last season's Prix Marcel Boussac in the line-up.

The Group 1 for juvenile fillies on Arc day – which was run on ground considerably slower than is likely to be the case on Sunday – was won by Diamond Necklace from Green Spirit, with Esna just denied third close home.

Prix de Diane Longines (Chantilly, Sunday)
Coral: 4-6 Diamond Necklace, 5 Lilt, 8 Evolutionist, 9 Felicitas, 12 Green Spirit, 20 Moments Of Joy, Pink Panthera, 25 Esna, Inis Mor, 66 Evita, Habibi

Prix de Diane final field and draw

Evolutionist Shane Foley (drawn 5)
Moments Of Joy Wayne Lordan (8)
Habibi Cristian Demuro (2)
Evita Christophe Soumillon (9)
Pink Panthera Tony Piccone (6)
Esna James Doyle (11)
Inis Mor Oisin Murphy (4)
Diamond Necklace Ryan Moore (3)
Felicitas Kieran Shoemark (7)
Green Spirit Maxime Guyon (1)
Lilt Tom Marquand (10)