On a day of informative Classic trials, the European flat season bursts into life with Longchamp's G3 Prix de la Grotte the showcase for the fillies with pretensions to glory in the upcoming G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. As usual, His Highness The Aga Khan's silks promise to play a prominent role via the unbeaten Vedouma (Fr) (Dalakhani {Ire}), successful by six lengths in the Listed Prix Isonomy over a mile on testing ground at Chantilly in November. She is one of a clutch of exciting prospects along with Khalid Abdullah's Mexican Gold (Medaglia d'Oro), an Andre Fabre trainee who had another of the Aga Khan's nicer fillies, the impressive subsequent scorer Sayana (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}), back in second in a decent 7 1/2-furlong debutantes contest at Deauville in October.
Mexican Gold is to be partnered by last year's Grand Steeple Chase de Paris hero and champion NH jockey Vincent Cheminaud, who gets the leg up from Andre Fabre for the first time. Another unknown quantity is Haras de Saint Pair's recent Saint-Cloud conditions scorer Pearly Steph (Fr) (Oasis Dream {GB}), while proven pattern-race form is brought to the table by Cocheese Bloodstock's G3 Prix des Reservoirs winner Moonee Valley (Fr) (Aqlaam {GB}).
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