Wild Beauty Looks to Bounce Back in Prix Alary

The complexion of this historic St. Mark's Basilica Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (G1) May 28 has been changed in profound ways by the absence of Prosperous Voyage , whose travel issues have thrown the race wide open to the remaining six runners.

In terms of fillies who have already demonstrated group 1 form, Godolphin's Wild Beauty 's success in the Natalma Stakes (G1T) at Woodbine last September stands out, a performance which grew in stature after her closest rival Pizza Bianca  went on to beat Malavath  and Cachet  in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T).

After that success, Wild Beauty got outpaced at a crucial stage in the be365 Fillies' Mile (G1) and again in the May 1 Qipco One Thousand Guineas (G1), which brings this 1 mile and 2 furlong (about 1 1/4-miles) trip into focus, though somewhat puzzlingly she had the zip to beat Jumbly  over seven furlongs in the Fred Darling Stakes (G3) in between those two performances.

"The ground was too quick for Wild Beauty at Newmarket, so we have put a line through that performance," said trainer Charlie Appleby. "She came out of that race well and we have always been looking to step her up in trip, which will hopefully see some further improvement. The pick of her 2-year-old form and her win at Newbury this year should make her very competitive."

Above The Curve  looks a filly with a lot of potential and Coolmore's decision to bring her to Longchamp rather than wait for the Cazoo Oaks (G1) could prove inspired.

Above The Curve is very unlikely to have to look up to her rivals from a physical point of view in the parade ring and the imposing daughter of American Pharoah   has given trainer Joseph O'Brien every sign she is ready for this group 1 test.

The bare form of her defeat to Thoughts Of June  at Chester leaves her with 7 pounds to find with Wild Beauty, for all that many judges felt she shaped like the best horse in the Weatherbys Bloodstock Pro Cheshire Oaks.

Place Du Carrousel  ran within 1lb of that performance on RPRs when swooping late in the April 29 Prix Cleopatre (G3) and the lack of rain looks a big plus for her.

That victory was on a day when nearly all the winners came from off the pace at Saint-Cloud and, even in a six-runner field on good ground, Mickael Barzalona won't want to give the leaders too much rope.

"(Place Du Carrousel has) done very well and I expect her to run a good race," said trainer Andre Fabre. "On paper she has a few pounds to find, but she has a good turn of foot. Nicer ground is a plus."

Jean-Claude Rouget's most recent winner of the Saint-Alary, Tawkeel, was making her first start in Pattern company and Sippinsoda boasts three 1s next to her name, for all the form is nothing to write home about.

A case can also be made for Queen Trezy , who has finished second to Rosacea  and Agave  on her two most recent starts, though her ability to handle good ground has to be taken on trust