Saffron Beach to Battle Tenebrism in Prix Rothschild

The first of 16 meetings at Deauville during August is headlined by the first of five group 1s at the track, the Prix Rothschild (G1).

It is one of the weaker top-level contests the track hosts over the next four weeks and is perhaps less competitive than when the great Goldikova  won the last of her four Prix Rothschild victories in 2011.

The last four favorites have won the race, recording Racing Post Ratings way behind the standard of the preceding ten years.

A revival could be on the cards, however, as both Saffron Beach  and Tenebrism  arrive with the sort of recent performances which would be up to scratch with the post-Goldikova days.

Weighing up the pair is complex. Tenebrism has the course form after winning the Haras d'Etreham Prix Jean Prat (G1) just over three weeks ago. But that was over seven furlongs; she had dropped back from a mile after moderate runs in the Qipco One Thousand Guineas Stakes (G1) and Coronation Stakes (G1).

Tenebrism has lots of speed and a straight mile will ask a question she has seemingly struggled with. Trainer Aidan O'Brien is confident the Caravaggio   filly can stay the trip and land successive victories in the race for her trainer and jockey Ryan Moore, having captured last year's Prix Rothschild with Mother Earth .

"She seems to be in good form since the last day; everything has gone well with her," O'Brien said. "We were delighted with her run at the track and we go back to a mile now, which should be no issue. I'm very happy with her."

That straight mile is known to be no issue for Saffron Beach. She was second in the Qipco One Thousand Guineas (G1) last year, won the Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes (G1), and ran another career-best figure to win the Duke of Cambridge Stakes (G2) last time. That run gives her the form edge and the lack of course experience is rarely much of a concern at Deauville, which is flat and fair.

Trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam is relishing Saffron Beach's bid to land her a second top-level success at Deauville.

Saffron Beach will make her first start in France in the mile contest under William Buick, who is unbeaten in two starts on the daughter of New Bay  and set to return to action after two days on the sidelines with a sickness bug.

Chapple-Hyam believes her rivals have it all to do to beat her stable star.

"She's in very good order and travelled nicely down there, we're all very pleased," Chapple-Hyam said. "She's had no issues and we can't fault her training. We feel she's improved again and we're very hopeful."

A defense of her Sun Chariot crown and a possible trip to the Breeders' Cup could await Saffron Beach later this season, but Chapple-Hyam is eager for her to win at the top-level again at Deauville first.

"It's very important, especially for the owners (Ben Sangster, James Wigan and Ollie Sangster), who are breeders, that we get the right result for them in this," she added.

"They're all going to be there to see her race alongside myself and fingers crossed she can do the job for us."