15:05 ParisLongchamp
Prix de l'Opera Longines (Fillies Group 1)
Flat
• 2000m
• €500,000
• 11
F
4 yrs
2-18225
Reliable top-level performer who filled the runners-up berth behind champion Mqse of Sevigne in the Group I Prix Jean Romanet before finishing 5th in the Group II Moyglare Stakes won by HANALIA (4) on 15 September
M Dobbin
€292,243
F
4 yrs
38-2817
Not seen to best effect when finishing unplaced (7th) in the 1600m Group I Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket on 12 July. Absent since although undeniably capable of making her presence felt
Dp Howden
€263,769
F
4 yrs
-49334
Runner-up in the 2023 Group I Prix Saint-Alary over track and trip, and has maintained her form/consistency in 3 starts this year, albeit without success. Was 4th in the course-and-distance La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte (Group III) on 8 September
LNJ Foxwoods SC
€525,296
F
3 yrs
411621
Progressive Sea The Stars filly. Looked better than ever when winning a Curragh Group II, the 2000m Moyglare Stakes, on 15 September
H H Aga Khan
€185,250
F
3 yrs
561136
Winner of this season's Group I Prix de Diane - followed that up with an eye-catching 3rd in a 2000m Group I at Goodwood in August. Not at all disgraced in finishing 6th (wasn't beaten far) on this course in the 2400m Group I Prix Vermeille on 15 September
Al Shaqab Racing/jpj Dubois
€804,614
F
3 yrs
122231
Ultra-consistent performer who has only once finished worse than 2nd in her last 8 appearances (was 3rd in a Listed race over track and trip. Returned to winning ways in a 2000m Group III at Deauville on 28 July
Z Ben M'rad
€120,133
F
3 yrs
31-5674
Returned from a 4-month absence to finish 4th, behind FALLEN ANGEL (10), in the Group I Matron Stakes over 1600m at Leopardstown on 14 September. Will appreciate the extra 400m with improved fitness on her side
Magnier/tabor/smith/brant
€426,807
F
3 yrs
41112
Won a 2000m Listed race at Vichy in July and raised her game again to win the Group III Prix Prince d'Orange over track and trip on 8 September. Warrants respect given the good form of Henri-Francois Devin's stable
H Saito
€73,430
F
3 yrs
1-1711
Start-to-finish winner of the Group II Prix de la Nonette over 2000m at Deauville on 18 August. Not taken lightly
G Strawbridge
€172,887
F
3 yrs
211-812
High-class performer at two and as a three-year-old. Acquitted herself well in defeat (2nd) when pitched into Group I company for the first time in the 1600m Matron Stakes at Leopardstown (14 September) - an unknown quantity over this distance
Wathnan Racing
€669,477
F
3 yrs
4-88321
Smart, maturing Galileo filly who produced a career-best performance when winning 2400m Group I Yorkshire Oaks at York on 22 August. Big player
Westerberg/magnier/tabor/
€554,132
Race Overview
Prix de Diane winner SPARKLING PLENTY (5) carries the hopes of the French and has been prepared for this Group I engagement. YLANG YLANG (7) finished behind FALLEN ANGEL (10) last month in a Leopardstown Group I over 1600m but, with this longer trip and soft ground likely to suit, is good value to turn the tables on that rival who races beyond a mile for the first time. The shortlist is completed by progressive last-start winners CONTENT (11) and HANALIA (4), though a case could be made for several others.
Selection:
5 - 7 - 10
