Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Insights features the first foal out of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Flotilla (Fr) (Mizzen Mast).
2.20 Nottingham, Mdn, £6,000, 2yo, f, 5f 8yT
HEARTWARMING (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) debuts in the Hot To Trot Racing silks carried to G2 Queen Mary S. glory by her half-sister Heartache (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}) last year and, like that sibling, is trained by Clive Cox. Three of the last four winners of this heat have subsequently contested the Queen Mary and, in keeping with that theme, her rivals include Sir Mark Prescott trainee Klass Action (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}), who is a daughter of 2013 Queen Mary fifth Alutiq (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}); Kodyanna (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), who is a Richard Fahey-trained half-sister to last term's stakes-winning G3 Prix de Cabourg runner-up and Queen Mary seventh Darkanna (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) out of 2012 G2 Cherry Hinton S. third and Queen Mary fifth Jadanna (Ire) (Mujadil); and Little Kim (GB) (Garswood {GB}), who is a half-sister to last term's Queen Mary third Out of the Flames (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) out of 2010 Queen Mary ninth Primo Lady (GB) (Lucky Story), from the Karl Burke stable.
3.20 Fontainebleau, Mdn, €25,000, unraced 3yo, f, 11fT
SHALLA (GB) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}) is one of two nominees for His Highness The Aga Khan in this debutantes' heat and she is out of MG1SP 2009 G1 Prix de l'Opera heroine Shalanaya (Ire) (Lomitas {GB}). The Mikel Delzangles incumbent is joined by Shomaria (Fr) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), who is a daughter of 2008 G3 Prix de Lutece and 2009 G3 Prix Allez France victress Shemima (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}), from the Alain de Royer-Dupre stable.
3.20 Fontainebleau, Mdn, €25,000, unraced 3yo, c/g, 11fT
OFFSET GUILT (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) is the first foal produced by 2012 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and 2013 G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Flotilla (Fr) (Mizzen Mast) and debuts for the same Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani-Mikel Delzangles axis here. Opposition includes Gerard Augustin-Normand's Boissey (Fr) (Iffraaj {GB}), who is out of MGSP 2001 G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud fourth Banyu Dewi (Ger) (Poliglote {GB} and thus kin to three black-type performers headed by MGSW 2011 G1 Gold Cup and G1 Prix du Cadran third Brigantin (Cozzene), representing Pia Brandt; and Gestut Ammerland's Agosto (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}), who is an Andre Fabre-trained gelded son of 2011 G1 Preis der Diana-German Oaks third Aigrette Garzette (Ire) (Peintre Celebre).
9.00 Gowran Park, Mdn, €12,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 7fT
RAESEEYA (GB) (Dansili {GB}) is the first foal produced by 2012 G1 Durban Golden Slipper victress Rumya (NZ) (Red Ransom) and debuts in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum carried to success in that Greyville highlight. The Michael O'Callaghan trainee faces a baker's dozen including Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier and Michael Tabor's twice-raced Darkness Falls (War Front), who is an Aidan O'Brien-trained daughter of MG1SP 2012 G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Was (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}); and Khalid Abdullah's Clique (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), who is kin to three black-type performers headed by last term's G3 Winter Derby hero Convey (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and ill-fated G3 Supreme S.-winning sire Stronghold (GB) (Danehill), returning off a Sept. 17 debut fifth to subsequent G3 Athasi S. victress Lightening Quick (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and representing Dermot Weld.
9.10 Ripon, Cond, £6,000, 3yo/up, 10f 190yT
Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor and Markus Jooste's DEPARTMENT OF WAR (IRE) (Declaration of War), a Richard Hannon-trained half-brother to G1SW sire Toormore (Ire) (Arakan) and MGSW sire Estidhkaar (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), returns off a third in Newmarket's May 19 Listed Fairway S. and is opposed by a cast of seven in this low-key return. It includes Godolphin newcomer Beauvais (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), who represents Saeed bin Suroor and is a half-brother to MGSW 2012 G2 International Istanbul Trophy victress Local Time (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}); and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum's twice-raced Firlinfeu (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), who is a gelded son of MGSW 2010 G1 Nassau S., G1 Prix Jean Romanet and G1 Premio Lydia Tesio placegetter Antara (Ger) (Platini {Ger}), making his turf debut for the Mark Johnston barn.
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