Alpine Star Spearheads Strong Irish Prix de Diane Trio

Coronation Stakes (G1) heroine Alpine Star spearheads a three-strong attack from Ireland in the July 5 Prix de Diane Longines (G1), a prize which has only once fallen to an Irish trainer in its 176-year history.

With Tattersalls Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1) principals Peaceful and Fancy Blue also making the trip, there has surely never been a better chance of doubling the tally on the 50th anniversary of victory for the Seamus McGrath-trained Sweet Mimosa.  

Alpine Star looked better the further she went at Ascot and while she must prove she handles the extra 2 1/2 furlongs, her family history is reassuring given her granddam East of the Moon won the Diane in 1994. 

"She's in great form and arrived in France alright and is settling in well," said trainer Jessica Harrington. "It's a terrific race but we couldn't be happier with her after Ascot. This looks a good option, stepping up to a mile and a quarter, and we're excited."

Peaceful benefited from a prominent sit under Seamie Heffernan throughout her classic success at the Curragh, and looks another who should cope with the step up in trip.

"She's in good form," said O'Brien. "Everything has been smooth with her since the Curragh. We always thought she'd get further and the gradual step up should suit her. It should be within her compass." 

Son Donnacha O'Brien saddles his first French group 1 starter and is also in a positive frame of mind regarding the step up to 10 furlongs for Fancy Blue. 

"It's a very hot race but she's in good form and her work has been good," he said. "We're hoping for a good run but obviously it's a hot race. Another two furlongs should suit her well.

"We'll see what happens here but if she ran well and came out of the race well you'd have to think about the Irish Oaks (G1) for her, but that's obviously a bit down the line yet. Her run in the Irish One Thousand Guineas was perfect—lovely—and she's come out of it very well."

For all the strength of the foreign challenge, French trainers will have high hopes of keeping the prize at home, with Raabihah bidding to become the ninth unbeaten filly in 13 years to land the Diane. Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget sends out a one-two punch with her and the up-and-coming Vadsena.

"Vadsena is astonishing in the way she has risen up from the little tracks," said assistant trainer Jean-Bernard Roth. "She ran very well to be second on her first start at Chantilly and the form seems good. She's interesting. Raabihah has been the revelation of the spring having shown up very well at Cagnes during the winter. She has developed physically pretty quickly and she does everything very easily. She's a very good filly."

Alain de Royer-Dupre already has six wins to his credit in the Prix de Diane and saddles Ebaiyra Sunday

"She's quick on her feet and has plenty of quality," he said. "There are 11 fillies and they look a very nice bunch. The filly is in magnificent condition and she has progressed a lot from her last run. Now we'll find out if she is good enough." 

The Diane is one of the few missing pieces of Olivier Peslier's glittering career but the 47-year-old misses the ride on Ebaiyra after falling at Saint-Cloud on Friday. Peslier was transferred to hospital in Paris and was due to have an operation to repair a fractured jaw on Saturday. Vincent Cheminaud takes over on Ebaiyra as well as aboard Peslier's intended mount in the Prix du Jockey Club (G1), The Summit.