See The Fire, Tamfana and Wemightakedlongway do battle in fascinating Prix de l'Opera clash

Three-year-olds have been successful in 14 of the last 17 runnings of the Prix de l’Opera and their 5lb weight-for-age allowance makes them an attractive proposition.

Not many of these like to go forward and that could play into the hands of Barnavara, who made all to win a Curragh Group 2 last time. That was her best effort yet and there’s potential for an uncontested lead from her handy draw in stall four.

Wemightakedlongway achieved a career best when not beaten far by Minnie Hauk in an Irish Oaks that lacked depth. While she hasn't been making the running lately, she has won from the front and Dylan Browne McMonagle won’t want this to turn into a sprint. She’s the other pace angle.

Ballydoyle’s only Opera success came with Rhododendron in 2017 and January is their sole representative. Stamina is the main question mark as she has raced exclusively at a mile this season and her pedigree doesn’t offer a lot of hope for middle distances.

From the older horses, Tamfana needs to put a low-key Lockinge run behind her. The step up in trip may help judged on her close third in the French Oaks last season.

Fans of Aventure and Quisisana for the Arc will have Grand Stars on their shortlist. Gerald Mosse’s filly tends to need luck in running, as seen when not getting the clearest passage behind Quisisana in the Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet, and a lack of pace in the race has to be a concern.

See The Fire tops the betting. She has been no match for Ombudsman in open Group 1s this term and is starting to look flattered by her wide-margin Middleton success. She’s another who needs a strong gallop.
Analysis by Phill Anderson

Irish Oaks runner-up Wemightakedlongway primed for O'Brien

The Joseph O'Brien team feel Wemightakedlongway will benefit from the return to a mile and a quarter as she takes on her elders after running Minnie Hauk to a length and a quarter in the Irish Oaks.

"She's prepared well since her run in the Irish Oaks," said O'Brien. "She's in good shape and is pretty versatile when it comes to conditions. We feel ten furlongs is a good trip for her."

Minnie Hauk: became the 16th horse to do the Oaks double at the Curragh on Saturday

Wemightakedlongway finishes a close second to Minnie Hauk in the Irish OaksCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Since finishing fifth behind Delacroix in the Ballysax, Wemightakedlongway has proved progressive, landing the Group 3 Salsabil Stakes at Navan prior to a fourth-placed effort in the Oaks at Epsom.

After being beaten three and a quarter lengths into fourth by Whirl in the Pretty Polly, she gave 2-11 favourite Minnie Hauk a scare in the Irish Oaks, travelling strongly into the lead approaching the furlong pole before having to give best.

O'Brien has gone close to landing this contest, saddling Above The Curve (2022) and Lumiere Rock (2023) to finish third.

What they say

Richard Brown, racing adviser to Wathnan Racing, owners of One Look
The race didn't really go to plan at the Curragh and she ended up probably just a bit too far back. Paddy Twomey worked her in cheekpieces and it really helped, so we're running her in them. I hope she can run into the places.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of January
She's in good form and has generally been consistent this season. She's stepping up in trip and we'll see how she gets on over this far. It would have to be a bit of a concern for her.

Ed Walker, trainer of Qilin Queen
She's brighter than when she went into York. The preliminaries were a disaster there and the calm pre-race environment at Longchamp will really suit her. Kieran Shoemark is adamant that coming back in trip will suit her. She's got a bit to prove at Group 1 level but we hold her in high regard and hope she can run a big race.
Reporting by Conor Fennelly

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