So Mi Dar and more: key angles on the Prix Jean Romanet

2.45 DeauvilleDarley Prix Jean Romanet | Group 1 | 1m2f turf | 4yo+ fillies & mares

So Mi Dar has enjoyed plenty of bad luck in terms of both physical hold-ups and unsuitable ground since bursting onto the scene at York's Dante meeting in May 2016.

Half a length away from earning her Group 1 stripes in the Prix de l'Opera last year, Lord and Lady Lloyd Webber's pride and joy made a much belated return to action when fifth on unsuitably soft ground in the Nassau Stakes at the beginning of the month.

"John Gosden really had to run her that day as she'd been off the track for such a long time, but nothing really suited her at Goodwood," said racing manager Simon Marsh.

"We've been a bit worried about what the ground will be like but hopefully it won't be too bad and she can prove what a good filly she is."

Head hoping Siyoushake can last home

In a line-up where all but one of the ten runners have yet to break their Group 1 duck, arguably the best recent form belongs to Siyoushake, who was a fast-finishing third behind Roly Poly in the Prix Rothschild here three weeks ago.

Having never tried further than the mile of the Rothschild, the trip is the biggest question, but trainer Freddy Head is confident Siyoushake will give herself the best possible chance of staying.

"We're trying the trip for the first time but the way she handles herself I'm very hopeful she'll stay," said the trainer. "She's very consistent and has made a lot of progress. She's in top form and I expect her to run very well."

Left Hand is the sole winner of a European Group 1 in the field - both Smart Call and Furia Cruzada struck at the top level in the southern hemisphere - having landed the Prix Vermeille last September over a mile and a half.

She has taken time to rediscover her form in three starts this term and Carlos Laffon-Parias drops her back to the same course and distance of her win in the Prix de la Nonette 12 months ago.

The trainer said: "Her fifth in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud was a step forward again and the form seems to be working out well.

"A mile and a half might be just about as far as she wants to go and we've prepared her for this race with no hold-ups or problems."

That Which Is Not has progressed well for Francis Graffard and the Niarchos family and had excuses when failing to fire in the La Coupe in June.

Varian, Meade and Stoute add to Newmarket team

Smart Call probably ran her best race since joining Sir Michael Stoute when fourth to Qemah at Royal Ascot over a mile, but her South African form is mostly over this intermediate trip, while Wilamina may not need to find too much improvement from her runner-up effort in a recent Curragh Group 2 to get involved for Martyn Meade.

Ajman Princess was one of the highest-rated maidens in training at the start of the year and has progressed with each run, most recently when just failing to concede 3lb to Entsar at York.

"Ajman Princesshas proved a model of consistency this season and she ran well under a penalty on ground that was soft enough at York," said trainer Roger Varian.

"The drying conditions will suit her well and, while she needs to improve on her career-best form stepping into Group 1 company, I could see her running very well."