Prix Rothschild: Preview & Tips for Deauville Sunday
Get all the latest quotes from connections and Man On The Spot's verdict ahead of the Group One Prix Rothschild at Deauville on Sunday.
Prix Rothschild - 3.30 Deauville
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Marco Botti reports Aljazzi to be in tip-top shape as she goes for an all-important Group One success in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville on Sunday.
The five-year-old mare put up a career-best performance on her latest start to win the Group Two Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot in great style, by three and three-quarter lengths from Tribute Act.
Connections resisted the temptation to go for the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket's July meeting to wait for this French assignment.
"Everything has gone well since she ran at Ascot. I couldn't be happier with her. She's in good order," said Botti.
"The ground should hopefully be good for everybody.
"We've got Ryan Moore as our jockey for William Buick, as he is committed to ride for Godolphin. Ryan has won on the filly before, so we are happy to have him.
"She won really well at Ascot and seems to be in the same form this time.
"There are a couple of good French fillies in there, and there's James Fanshawe's runner-up from Ascot. She must have a good chance as well."
Botti added: "We are looking forward to the race. It would be nice to get a Group One.
"Obviously we skipped the Falmouth. We felt it would come a bit too soon for her and hopefully it was the right decision."
Tomyris was beaten a total of six lengths in fifth place behind Aljazzi at Royal Ascot, but her trainer Roger Varian feels she is capable of getting closer on this different track.
"Tomyris performed with credit at Royal Ascot and this easier mile ought to suit her better," the Newmarket handler told www.varianstable.com.
"She's looking as well as she has done all year and she's capable of running a big race."
Andre Fabre saddles Deauville Listed scorer Rosa Imperial for Godolphin, as he seeks to win this prize for a sixth time.
Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin said: "Rosa Imperial is coming into this race following a good win over the course and distance.
"She is a very relaxed mare, with a great temperament, and we are hopeful that she can step up to the mark.
"She acquitted herself well on her only previous Group One appearance in the Prix Maurice de Gheest, all things considered. It was only her fourth start and she came back quite jarred up, which is why it took her a while to get going again.
"She is a mare that we have always thought a lot of, but there is no such thing as an easy Group One and this is far from a penalty kick for her. There are thunderstorms in the forecast and any rain would help."
Godolphin are also represented by Crown Walk, who is trained by Alex Pantall and won the Group Three Prix Chloe.
"Crown Walk won a Group Three on her latest start and was narrowly beaten in a Group Two beforehand, so she has better recent form than Rosa Imperial," Graffard told www.godolphin.com.
"She is a progressive filly, who hasn't stopped improving since transferring to France, and goes into this race in great order.
"She has a bit to find with one or two of her rivals, but we hope that she can continue her upward progression."
Man On The Spot Verdict...
Marco Botti's ALJAZZI looked ready to take the step up to Group 1 company when easily landing the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Ascot where she had Tribute Act almost four lengths back in second. She acts on any going and will take some beating. Rosa Imperial returned from a decent effort in the Godolphin Mile at Meydan in March to land a Listed contest over this course and distance three weeks ago and will be ready for this, though she's yet to prove herself at this level. With You, one of her stable's three entries, looks a major threat dropping down in trip as she was only beaten a short-head by Laurens in the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary at Longchamp and was only just behind her in the Prix de Diane at Chantilly. Mission Impassible deserves another crack at the highest level after landing the Group 2 Prix de Sandringham at Chantilly and would be happier than most if the ground was on the soft side.
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