Gosden's triple assault on Royallieu shows deep well of yard's filly talent

Qatar Prix de Royallieu (Group 1) 3yo+ fillies & mares | 1m6f | Sky

Although his leading lady must wait another 24 hours for her big moment, John Gosden demonstrates the strength in depth of his middle-distance fillies and mares by saddling a third of the field for a race with newly minted Group 1 status, as well as having an extra furlong and a half added to its distance.

Enbihaar was a revelation when tried over this trip for the first time at Goodwood, but was made to fight much harder when just seeing off the reopposing Delphinia by a short head.

Anapurna lost her race in the Prix Vermeille in the first furlong after being shuffled back on the rail from a poor the start and never really travelling thereafter.

Frankie Dettori is reunited with Oaks heroine Anapurna in the Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp on SaturdayCredit: Getty Images/Alan Crowhurst

She is better judged on her Investec Oaks win and, reunited with Frankie Dettori, has the class to go close if her stamina holds out.

Gosden was quick to pinpoint this race for Lah Ti Dar as far back as the end of June after just being pipped by stablemate Coronet in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

"The race has been promoted from a Group 2 for the first time this year and looks perfect for all three," said Gosden.

"Oaks winner Anapurna has come on for her recent return from a break at the track last time. Enbihaar has emphatically proven her effectiveness at the trip and we have been pleased with her since.

"Lah Ti Dar has won at a mile and a quarter and shapes as if she should get this far. It's the last Group 1 for Fillies bar the one on Champions Day and they all have nice chances."

Musis Amica 'could have run in the Arc'

In both last year's Prix de Diane Longines over an extended mile and a quarter and, most recently, the Prix Vermeille on her first try over a mile and a half here in September, Musis Amica has rattled home from a deeply unpromising position, so it will be interesting to see how she fares over this longer trip.

But more compelling than the promise that she shapes as if further will suit, are the words of trainer Andre Fabre, who has not rushed her at four and who might have been tempted by the Arc rather than this race but for the upgraded status this year.

"She has been training very well and if it had rained a lot I would have run her in the Arc, so I'm confident for this fillies and mares race," he said.

What they say

Chris Richardson, racing manager for Cheveley Park, owners of Pilaster
She's been a bit disappointing this year but she probably hasn't had her ground all summer. She's probably going to be slightly ring rusty here but the plan is to run on Champions Day in either the stayers' race or the fillies and mares.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Delphinia and South Sea Pearl
They both ran in the same race at Doncaster last time. We were very pleased with Delphinia, who was just beaten, and she has progressed nicely all season. She seems in good form since Doncaster and we are very happy with her. South Sea Pearl has been consistent all season and ran well at Doncaster.

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