Alpine Star bidding to back up dazzling Royal Ascot success

Keith Hamer
July 4, 2020 6:31 pm

Coronation Stakes winner steps up in trip for French Oaks.

Alpine Star is reported to be in prime condition ahead of the Prix de Diane, as she bids for Classic glory in France just a couple of weeks after stealing the show at Royal Ascot.

The Jessica Harrington-trained filly has taken her convincing win in the Coronation Stakes so well that connections have opted to go for French Oaks at Chantilly on Sunday.

“She’s in great form so we’ve taken the plunge to run her in Chantilly on Sunday,” the County Kildare trainer told Sky Sports Racing.

“She’s a very laid-back filly. I think she will stay and I hope it might bring out some more improvement.

“We thought we’d try this distance rather than go a mile again.”

Aidan O’Brien has yet to win the French Oaks, but has a big chance this year with Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Peaceful.

She will be ridden by Seamie Heffernan, who told Racing TV: “All I need is a bit of luck. I like this filly. It’s a strong race, but I like this filly – she’s never disappointed me.”

Fancy Blue, who was runner-up Peaceful at the Curragh, renews rivalry and will try again to give O’Brien’s son, Donnacha, a Classic triumph in his first season as a trainer.

Speak Of The Devil attempts to go one better after just being touched off in the French 1000 Guineas.

The daughter of Wootton Bassett is one of three runners for Fabrice Chappet, along with Mageva and Magic Attitude.

“Speak Of The Devil was only having her third career start when second in the Pouliches, a nose from the winner,” he said.

“The plan was to have another race before the Pouliches, but the lockdown meant that wasn’t possible. The question for her is one of stamina. Her dam is by Indian Rocket, who passes on a lot of speed.”

Mageva was two lengths behind her stable companion in third place that day.

Chappet said: “Mageva ran in the Pouliches like a filly who could run over further. She was another to give a remarkable performance in Deauville. Neither filly has run at Chantilly before, but they’ve both worked on the racetrack.”

Chappet is hoping Magic Attitude will be more relaxed than she was when second to Tawkeel in the Prix Saint Alary on this course last month.

“Magic Attitude ran a bit free in the Prix Saint Alary,” he said.

“We will ride her more quietly on Sunday. All three fillies deserve to take part in the Diane.”

Solsticia was third in the Saint Alary – but her trainer Andre Fabre feels she might benefit from a change of tack.

“She’s OK. Last time she ran all right but she was hanging a little so we are changing her bit,” he said.

“I hope that will be better and will keep her straight. Her form is enough to run well.”

The only unbeaten filly in the field is the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained Raabihah, although she is taking the leap from maiden and Listed company to the top level after wins at Cagnes-Sur-Mer and ParisLongchamp.

“She’s a progressive filly. We’ll see whether she’s good enough. It’s a question of can she take the jump up?” said Angus Gold, racing manager to owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.

“She certainly stays the trip. She’s got a lovely pedigree and she won her maiden well enough, but it was only in January this year.

“Then everything was shut down so she’s only had the one run since. I must say she impressed me that day (at ParisLongchamp), but two runs is a big ask to go and win a Classic on only her third run.

“It’s just nice to have a filly good enough to have a chance. Let’s hope she can show her true colours.”