Making A Difference

It is six years since Dabirsim (Fr) became the last French-trained juvenile to win the G1 Darley Prix Morny at Deauville, but Sunday's renewal looks packed with promise from the domestic brigade in which that former runner's unbeaten daughter Different League (Fr) takes prominent rank. Theresa Marnane's surprise package upset 'TDN Rising Star' Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) in Royal Ascot's G3 Albany S. last time on June 23 and the form of that six-furlong contest has received significant boosts via the fifth, sixth and seventh Madeline (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), Actress (Ire) (Declaration of War) and Clemmie (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). “We are all set, the filly is very well and it's exciting,” trainer Matthieu Palussiere said. “Her preparation has been perfect. She has to take on colts, but really there are not many other options. You would think she should improve from Ascot and she's playing at home this time.”

Different League's compatriots include Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's exciting July 30 G3 Prix de Cabourg scorer Tantheem (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), Alain Jathiere, Martin Schwartz Racing and Gerard Augustin-Normand's July 1 G3 Prix du Bois winner Zonza (Fr) (Alex the Winner) and Claudio Marzocco's unlucky July 23 G2 Prix Robert Papin fourth High Dream Milena (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}), but they all face a formidable rival in the Mark Johnston-trained Nyaleti (Ire) (Arch). She came back from two defeats by September (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Clemmie in the Listed Chesham S. at Royal Ascot on June 24 and G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. at Newmarket on July 14 to win the G3 Princess Margaret S. at Ascot by five lengths on July 29. “It was well publicised last time that Ryan Moore said he thought she'd be better over seven furlongs and I wouldn't doubt his opinion at all, but she has got lots of speed and is clearly well capable at six,” Johnston said. “She's a very big, strong filly, very straightforward at home and we don't really have to do much with her.”