Whether here for a slice of the €1,000,000 pie, or the prestige such a classic victory brings, the Prix de Diane has drawn a field of 14 and here we will take a snap look at their chances.
1-Candala
Winner of the Gr.3 Prix de la Grotte on her only start of 2024, things have gone to plan so far and she takes on her first objective of the year with a decent chance of imposing.
2-Paraiba
Easy winner of her Deauville maiden last November, she was not beaten by much at Chantilly on last month’s return to competition. She takes a big step up in class, but should appreciate the trip and although not a priority, should still not be dismissed.
3-Survie
She won both of her starts at two, and most recently ran 3rd in Gr.2 Prix Saint-Alary. She is unlikely to have her way but a place is well within her capacity.
4-Sparkling Plenty
Just two weeks after a scintillating Gr.2 Prix de Sandringham victory, Patrice Cottier is aiming for a cheeky double, over the same track. She is untried over the distance, but is not one to be underestimated.
5-Dance Sequence
She was beaten only by the exceptional Ezeliya in the Oaks. The shorter trip will not pose an issue and she looks to have a good hand to play.
6-Rock’n Swing
Winner of her first two races, she finished 7th, just 2L off the winner in the Poule d’Essai. She left a good final impression that day and the longer trip should work to her advantage.
7-L’Equilibriste
Winner of the 1800m Listed Prix Finlande at Longchamp late last month, she will need to take her game to another level on Sunday. There is still progress in her though and a surprise is not out of the question.
8-Birthe
She has done nothing but improve since her Deauville debut last November, most recently winning Gr.2 Prix Saint-Alary, having secured a Toulouse Listed three weeks earlier. Proven over 2100m, she is an obvious contender for Diane glory.
9-Dare To Dream
After her sublime Gr.3 Prix Vanteaux success in early-April, she was unable to confirm, coming 4th in the Prix Saint-Alary just over a month later. She has nevertheless displayed sufficient quality to feature prominently in a race of this class.
10-Tamfana
Very unlucky in the Newmarket Guineas, she nonetheless benefits from having already won at Chantilly. Favourite with the bookmakers, she could well furnish her Sussex-based French trainer, David Menuisier, with a first classic.
11-Gala Real
Always considered a Diane horse by her team, she comes to Chantilly off the back of three successive victories, latterly showing great tenacity to win the Listed Prix de la Seine, ahead of Aventure. She represents the best chance of the French-trained runners.
12-Bubble Gum
Winner of a maiden over a mile, followed by a Class 2 over 1800m, she is being aimed significantly higher this time and will need to show marked progress. Outsider.
13-Aventure
Winning the 2400m Gr.3 Prix de Royaumont, unopposed, at Chantilly a fortnight ago, reinforces Gala Real’s prospects. Christophe Ferland’s filly made considerable progress that day and a similar performance would assure her a place on the podium.
14-Halfday
This smartly-bred filly ran out a facile winner of Gr.3 Prix Cléôpatre on 19 April, dominating among others, War Chimes who subsequently ran 3rd in the Oaks. Based on that performance, her prospects look particularly promising.
