By Tom Frary
Labelled “Monsieur Diane” by France Galop, Alain de Royer Dupre has 'TDN Rising Star' Siyarafina (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}) to further enhance that reputation in Sunday's G1 Prix de Diane Longines at Chantilly. Unbeaten and the winner of the G1 Prix Saint-Alary at ParisLongchamp on May 26, His Highness the Aga Khan's relative of his star sire Siyouni (Fr) looks to extend her trainer's record tally of six successes in this 10 1/2-furlong Classic. Stamina and the potential for quick ground are concerns, if requisite class is not and her trainer is taking nothing for granted. “The Prix de Diane Longines course requires more stamina than that of the Saint-Alary,” he commented. “I just hope that the track won't be as quick as on the day of the Jockey Club. When three track records are broken in one day, it means that the track is riding very fast, and that can leave its mark on the horses. There is stiff opposition, the race isn't won yet. Siyarafina has a lot of speed and she is also very athletic. She is easy to ride in her races and can be ridden in any fashion. She is ready for Sunday.”
Re-opposing Siyarafina is another 'TDN Rising Star' in Teruya Yoshida's Commes (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), who was 1 1/2-lengths second to that rival in ParisLongchamp's Prix du Louvre conditions race over a mile on Apr. 22. Subsequently beaten a nose by Castle Lady (Ire) (Shamardal) when runner-up in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches back at that venue on May 12, she bids to provide Jean-Claude Rouget with a Chantilly Classic double following the exploits of Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) a fortnight ago. Rouget, who is on de Royer-Dupre's tail with four renewals, also has Ecurie Philippe Segalot and Martin Schwartz's May 20 G3 Prix Cleopatre winner Etoile (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), Jean-Louis Tepper, Gerard Augustin-Normand and Ecurie des Charmes' May 1 G3 Prix Penelope scorer Cartiem (Fr) (Cape Cross {Fr}) and Denford Stud's Ebony (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), who was second to Channel (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in a course-and-distance conditions race on May 17.
Samuel de Barros's Channel had last year's G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Wonderment (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) back in fourth on that occasion and rates as a live contender, while the British representation is to be respected with the May 15 G3 Musidora S. first and second Nausha (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Entitle (GB) (Dansili {GB}) both unexposed types from the powerful Roger Varian and John Gosden yards, respectively.
Elsewhere on the card, Jean-Louis Bouchard's G3 Prix des Chenes winner Anodor (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}) sports blinkers for the first time in the G3 Prix Paul de Moussac Longines following a return seventh in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains at ParisLongchamp on May 12, and Godolphin have a strong representation in the G2 Prix Hocquart Longines. 'TDN Rising Star' Al Hilalee (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) has to get back to his Listed Criterium du FEE success at Deauville in August, but Charlie Appleby is hoping this mile-and-a-half trip might aid his cause.
“The step up to a mile and a quarter saw some improvement from Al Hilalee on his last start,” he said. “We are hoping that another step up in distance will produce further improvement.”
The G3 Prix Bertrand du Breuil Longines offers the opportunity for Haras de Saint Pair's May 26 G1 Prix d'Ispahan third Trais Fluors (GB) (Dansili {GB}) to enjoy a confidence boost.
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