She has seemed ready to win at the highest level for some time and Sunday's G1 Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville offers a golden opportunity for the Niarchos Family's Bocca Baciata (Ire) (Big Bad Bob {Ire}) after a string of solid efforts in Ireland. Beaten 4 1/2 lengths but not disgraced when second to Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Pretty Polly S. over this trip at The Curragh June 25, she went one better in the nine-furlong G2 Kilboy Estate S. back at that venue July 17 and sets the standard in this test. “Jessie [Harrington] has been pleased with the way she's been working and we're looking forward to running her,” racing manager Alan Cooper commented. “She's a group three winner, a group two winner and group one-placed, so it would be great for her to win a group one. It looks an open race and we'll see how it goes on the day.”
Possibly best of the home brigade is Sayana (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}), who was second when appearing not to handle the track in Epsom's G3 Princess Margaret S. over an extended mile last time June 4. Given a break by Alain de Royer-Dupre, the half-sister to Siyouni (Fr) remains unexposed which also applies to Al Asayl Bloodstock's Bateel (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). She captured the 12-furlong Listed Fred Archer S. at Newmarket last time June 25 and relishes ground with ease, but she needs a strong pace to run at as a confirmed hold-up merchant. Also from Britain is Helena Springfield Ltd's Speedy Boarding (GB) (Shamardal), who took the 10 1/2-furlong G2 Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud May 29 before finishing last of five in the Pretty Polly. “We've had this in mind for a while and she seems in good form,” trainer James Fanshawe said. “It was a bit of a muddling race in Ireland last time. I think everyone was worrying a bit too much about Minding instead of getting on with the race.”
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