1. Simeen (Jean-Claude Rouget/Christophe Soumillon)
Progressed with each of her three starts to remain unbeaten, including when making a winning return after nine months off in a minor event at Chantilly last time. Looked potentially smart in quickening from last to first there and is well worth a try at this level for her top connections.
2. Tropbeau (Andre Fabré/Mickael Barzalona)
Showed useful form as a two-year-old, notably winning the Prix du Calvados at this venue and looking unluck not to finish closer when third in the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket. Improved again after eight months off when winning the Prix de la Grotte at Longchamp last time, digging deep to land the spoils by half a length. Sets the standard on that form and rates a solid favourite with further progress on the cards.
3. Tickle Me Green (Andre Fabré/Pierre-Charles Boudot)
Useful two-year-old when trained by Markus Klug in Germany. Took another step forward on her stable debut/reappearance in the Prix de la Grotte at Longchamp last time, keeping on well to take third in a bunched finish. May prove best over middle-distances on pedigree.
4. Marieta (Mauricio Delcher-Sanchez/Tony Piccone)
Acquitted herself well in Group company after winning a maiden at Maisons-Laffitte as a two-year-old, subsequently filling the runner-up spot in both the Prix du Calvados at this venue and the Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp. Clearly useful, but eight-month absence is a concern in a race where all her rivals have the benefit of a recent outing.
5. Mageva (Fabrice Chappet/Stephane Pasquier)
Fairly useful two-year-old who proved at least as good as ever after seven months off when second in a Listed race at Longchamp last time. The bare form of that effort leaves her with plenty to find in this company, however.
6. Desobeissance (Fabrice Vermeulen/Gerald Mosse)
Stepped up markedly on her debut effort when winning a maiden over this course and distance two weeks ago. Should go on improving but this is a stiff assignment for one so inexperienced.
7. Dream And Do (Frederic Rossi/Maxime Guyon)
Won her final three starts as a two-year-old, including the Prix Miesque, and improved again after seven months off when second in the Prix de la Grotte at Longchamp last time. Looks to hold sound place claims again on that evidence, though there is no obvious reason why she should reverse the placings with Tropbeau.
8. Yomogi (Hiroo Shimizu/Jerome Moutard)
Fairly useful maiden who looks out of her depth after stretching her losing run to ten in a listed race at Longchamp last time.
9. My Love’s Passion (Yann Barberot/Theo Bachelot)
Speedy sort who has been placed in all five starts since making a winning two-year-old debut, including when third in a Listed race at Chantilly last time. Stamina a big concern on first try beyond six furlongs.
10. Speak of The Devil (Fabrice Chappet/Cristian Demuro)
Won her only two-year-old start over this course and distance and shaped better than the bare result after seven months off when second in a minor event at Longchamp last time – doing well to finish as close as she did after meeting plenty of trouble. Remains with potential as one of the less-exposed runners in the field.
11. Emoji (Francis-Henri Graffard/Olivier Peslier)
Debut two-year-old winner when trained by Henk Grewe in Germany. Showed much-improved form on her stable debut/reappearance to follow up in a listed race at Saint-Cloud in March, before running at least as well in defeat when beaten at odds-on in the Prix Vanteaux at Longchamp last time. Limitations exposed there and looks vulnerable now stepping up further in grade.
12. Ellerslie Lace (Mikel Delzangles/Vincent Cheminaud)
Still a maiden after four starts, for all that she has progressed to a useful level. Looks booked for a minor role again on the evidence of her fourth behind three of these rivals in the Prix de la Grotte at Longchamp last time.
Timeform Verdict:
Jean-Claude Rouget’s SIMEEN is a filly on a steep upward curve, improving in each of her three starts so far. She’s one to keep onside and gets the vote to take her form to the next level.
Tropbeau looks the obvious threat on paper after a successful reappearance in the Prix de la Grotte at Longchamp, while Speak of The Devil isn’t without hope if the market principals fail to fire.
* Prices correct at publishing but are subject to change except on our snazzy new bet widget which is bang up to date.
* To celebrate the return of racing, Timeform Race Passes – the ultimate form guide – is free this week and you can check it out here.
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