Longer trip expected to suit Laurens in her first French foray of the year

2.37 Longchamp
The Gurkha Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary | 1m2f | 3yo fillies | Group 1 | ATR/RUK

Laurens has been a superstar for Karl Burke, PJ McDonald and owner John Dance, but although she has already achieved much there could yet be plenty more to come as the star Yorkshire filly begins what could be a fantastic summer in France.

All being well, the 1,000 Guineas second will be at Chantilly next month for the Prix de Diane, and her prospects for the Classic will be done no harm if she can follow up her Group 1 success in the Fillies' Mile with another top-flight strike in the The Gurkha Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary.

Only four domestic opponents are taking on Laurens, who has headed to Longchamp after connections preferred this test to the Irish 1,000 Guineas.

Burke said: "It was a good run in the Guineas. We went there fairly bullish and she didn't let us down. The ground had dried up more than we'd have wanted and she was unfortunate to be beaten by a filly who we hadn't thought would be a major danger.

"We think she'll improve for the step up in trip and it does look as though this race has broken up quite a bit. It's the major trial for the Diane, which is our plan as well, and I think she has a great chance."

Burke added: "The form of our yard is slightly off at the moment – if that wasn't the case I really would be very bullish."

There is plenty of respect for Laurens being shown by Freddy Head, who saddles leading local hope With You, the winner of a Deauville Group 3 on her final juvenile outing.

"She's well and we've been happy with the way she's come on in the last month," said Head.

"She's grown a lot over the winter. This is a comeback run but I’ve always loved her and she's going the right way. It will be a tough race though, because Laurens is a very good filly."

Godolphin's maiden winner Flowrider is an intriguing runner, given her master trainer Andre Fabre is running her in this Group 1 on only the second start of her career.

Godolphin representative Lisa-Jane Graffard said: “Flowrider is taking a big step up in class from her maiden win but goes into the race in great form.

"Her dam [Wavering] won the race and physically she looks very similar. She has plenty of ability and we hope she can run well.”

More proven form is held by Soustraction, trained by Carlos Laffon-Parias, who said: "I definitely think she'll be better over this longer trip but, against that, the opposition is much better."

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