No Fabre but French pair could still steal spoils for raiders

2.20 Newmarket
Charm Spirit Dahlia Stakes (Group 2) | 1m1f | 4yo+ fillies & mares | ITV/RUK

France has won two of the last three editions of this thanks to Andre Fabre and while the nation's pre-eminent trainer goes unrepresented on Sunday, there will still be a Gallic flavour to proceedings.

The 106-rated Aim To Please is in action for Cheltenham Gold Cup- and King George VI Chase-winning trainer Francois Doumen and has plenty of Pattern form, including a Group 3 win over this trip at Maisons-Laffitte in September.

Chantilly-based Swede Pia Brandt, who has had one winner in Britain and saddled L'Amour De Ma Vie to finish second in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2014, runs Silver Step, who made the frame in two Group 2s at Meydan this year.

Moore success?

The Dahlia features on Ryan Moore's CV five times and he appears to have a leading chance of a sixth success on Somehow.

Muff have a chance

Muffri'Ha is the sole course-and-distance winner in the field, and of the half-dozen British-trained runners only Nezwaah is rated higher by the official assessor.

What they say

Francois Doumen, trainer of Aim To Please
She was a bit undercooked for her comeback and so the performance was some way below par. Gerald Mosse worked her last Saturday and it was altogether more satisfactory. She won a Group 3 over the straight 1,800 metres [nine furlongs] at Maisons-Laffitte last autumn so this should be right up her street, though I'd like to have seen a bit of cut for her.

Marco Botti, trainer of Aljazzi
She seems in great order and while this is a step up in class she stays the mile and a furlong, so we're hoping for more black type. She looks a stronger filly this year and seems to handle most ground.

Andrew Balding, trainer of Elbereth
She's dropping back in trip but the track will suit her. She has a pretty consistent level of form and hopefully that will be enough to get her placed.

Roger Varian, trainer of Nezwaah
I think a lot of her and I hope she's a filly we've yet to see the best of. She has plenty of speed and acts on quick ground so this is the perfect starting point. I expect her to run very well.

Pia Brandt, trainer of Silver Step
She wants good ground and, although it's a good field, she has earned the right to be among them. She lacks a bit of experience and is a filly who needs to be held up so she can deploy her finishing kick.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Skiffle
She's done well from three to four and I've been pleased with her preparation. Stepping up in trip will be her forte later in the season, but this looks a good starting point and she'll be fine on the forecast quick ground.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Somehow
She won a Listed race on soft ground at Gowran Park last weekend and shouldn't mind the faster conditions. We've been happy with her during the week.