Trainer John Gosden boasts a leading chance, Running Lion, as she prepares to tackle the prestigious Prix de Diane at Chantilly.
Fifteen fillies will be competing at Chantilly on Sunday. Running Lion, the daughter of Roaring Lion, had to withdraw from the Betfred Oaks at Epsom due to getting agitated in the stalls. After witnessing her stablemate Soul Sister win a significant race at Surrey Downs, Running Lion now has another opportunity to achieve her own Classic honors in the upcoming French edition.
Last year, Nashwa won the Diane for the Gosden team starting from stall two. However, this time Running Lion faces the challenge of starting from a wider position in stall 12. Oisin Murphy will be riding her as she aims to replicate an impressive performance from the Pretty Polly race at Newmarket earlier this season.
Despite the challenging position, Gosden, who trains in partnership with his son Thady, praises Running Lion for her consistent performance. She is currently the 11-4 favourite
Karl Burke’s Novakai, who recently secured a second-place finish behind Soul Sister in the Musidora, adds to the UK representation in the race. Aidan O’Brien and his son Joseph have their contenders as well, with Never Ending Story and Caroline Street respectively.
Among the French contenders, Christopher Head’s impressive winner of the French Guineas, Blue Rose Cen, is the frontrunner in terms of odds. Accompanying Blue Rose Cen in the lineup is the expected pacemaker and stablemate, Wise Girl.
Jannah Rose, the winner of Prix Saint-Alary, and the supplemented runner-up Elusive Princess, along with Andre Fabre’s undefeated Pensee Du Jour, are other notable contenders from the local team, each with strong claims in the competition.
