Desmond Stoneham
DEAUVILLE SATURDAY
3.15 Prix du Calvados-Association des Jockeys (Group 3) 2yo fillies 7f
Four English fillies take on five French juveniles in this event which is often a good guide to the future. Trained by Mark Johnston, Baileys Showgirl has already made her mark in France by taking the Listed Prix Roland de Chambure over today’s distance and she should make her presence felt again.
Cavale Doree could not have been more impressive when opening her account at this track last month. She is trained at La Teste by Christophe Ferland and came home seven lengths clear of the runner up.
Dame du Roi looks a very nice filly in the making. By Dark Angel, she has not been out since making a winning debut over this distance and she should again hold Spanish Fly.
Morigane Forlonge is experienced but was a well beaten fourth in the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin last time out.
Selection: BAILEYS SHOWGIRL
Next best: Cavale Doree
DEAUVILLE SUNDAY
2.45 Darley Prix Morny (Group 1) 2yo colts and fillies 6f straight
Wesley Ward won this famous juvenile contest in 2013 with a Scat Daddy colt named No Nay Never. On this occasion, he relies on a Scat Daddy filly named Lady Aurelia. She has already thrashed an international field in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot with Frankie Dettori, who has won three Mornys and the last two runnings. The filly has now captured her only two races by seven lengths or further.
She has had a two month break since her trip to England and looks unbeatable providing she has settled down in the active Deauville stables and coped with the rather muggy climate. At Ascot, Lady Aurelia streaked home alone in front of Al Johrah. She has since been beaten two and a half lengths by Tis Marvellous in the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte and both look well dominated by what will surely be the odds-on American favourite.
Aidan O’Brien is wary about the ground at Deauville but has decided to send Peace Envoy to bid to give him a first Morny winner since 2001. This Power colt is experienced and he recently took the Group 3 Jebel Ali Racecourse and Stables Anglesey Stakes at the Curragh in good style.
Providing the American challenger can manage the cut-up track and has settled in well, she looks a fine favourite.
Selection: LADY AURELIA
Next best: Peace Envoy
3.20 Darley Prix Jean Romanet (Group 1) 4yo+ fillies and mares 1m 2f
This race look open and will be contested by the Jessie Harrington-trained Bocca Baciata, who appears to have come to hand at exactly the right time. Since running second to the outstanding Minding in the Sea The Stars Pretty Polly Stakes, the filly has lifted the Group 2 Kilboy Estate Stakes at the Curragh.
James Fanshawe took this race with Ribbons in 2014 and this time he will be represented by Speedy Boarding. She was behind Bocca Baciata in the Pretty Polly, which came after a winning performance in the Group 2 Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud where Ame Bleue was much further back.
There is a bit of a buzz concerning the Aga Khan’s lightly raced Sayana (Galileo). She did not look at home on the track when runner-up in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom and had previously beaten Sea Front (gave 4lb) a tidy length in a listed contest at Chantilly.
Selection: SAYANA
Next best: Bocca Baciata
3.55 Darley Prix Kergorlay (Group 2) 3yo+ 1m 7f
Alain de Royer-Dupre decided to run Candarliya in this race instead of the Yorkshire Oaks and she has the form to go close and win her third Group 2 contest. She took the Qatar Prix de Royallieu last October and, more recently, the Prix Maurice de Nieuil from Launched (gave 3lb).
The son of Galileo takes up the challenge again and is the most consistent of performers having never been out of the first four in 11 starts. He deserves a first group success.
Hughie Morrison sends Nearly Caught back to Deauville, where he made all and slammed seven others by five lengths in the Listed Prix du Carrousel over the course and distance, but these opponents are a much better class. Fly With Me runs well fresh and he beat Candarliya in the Prix de Barbeville by a neck, but the weights were very much in his favour.
Selection: CANDARLIYA
Next best: Launched