Expert - Bill Esdaile
Bill Esdaile has worked in racing journalism in the United Kingdom for over 20 years. He began his working career at the Sporting Life back in 1995, and has since worked for the Racing Post, The Sportsman, and is currently racing editor of London-based City AM. He is a keen form student, and will bring a unique insight into the major European races.

Expert Column for Prix de Diane (S2-1) (Bill Esdaile)

S2-1 Prix de Diane

Andre Fabre has won this fillies’ classic over 2,100m four times - the first being in 1985 - and in PHILOMENE, BURGARITA and HARAJUKU he has three solid chances again.

PHILOMENE showed clear signs of inexperience on her debut at ParisLongchamp over 1,600m last September, but her class got her home. She did well through the winter and was an impressive winner of the G3 2,100m Prix Penelope at Saint-Cloud on her reappearance, beating INCARVILLE by two and a half lengths.

That earned PHILOMENE a place in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches field over 1,600m, but, though beaten less than three lengths into sixth place, the drop back in trip probably didn’t suit the Godolphin filly. Being a half-sister to the G1 Irish Oaks heroine CHICQUITA, PHILOMENE will be happier back at middle-distance and should be tough to beat.

BURGARITA has taken longer to mature, but she has won both her races this spring like a fast-improving filly.  She looked smart on good ground when winning her maiden at ParisLongchamp over 2,100m, but then coped just as well with soft when capturing a Listed race at the same course over 2,200m.

HARAJUKU also beat INCARVILLE in a G3 over 2,100m at Saint-Cloud, where the fast ground suited her.

In contrast, whereas INCARVILLE was in her element in very soft going for their rematch in the G1 Prix Saint-Alary over 2,000m at ParisLongchamp, HARAJUKU hated the mud. All INCARVILLE’s three victories have been gained in testing ground, so the more rain the better her chance.

Aidan O’Brien won the G1 Prix du Jockey Club for the first time with ST MARK'S BASILICA here two weeks ago. If he can pull off the double with JOAN OF ARC in the fillies equivalent, he would be emulating his son Donnacha, who trained last year’s winner, FANCY BLUE.

JOAN OF ARC can seemingly handle all types of going. It was good ground when she made all to win a G3 at Leopardstown over 1,400m, and she improved on that performance in heavy at the Curragh in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas over 1,600m.

It was only in the very last stride that JOAN OF ARC was caught by her stablemate EMPRESS JOSEPHINE. However, being a full-sister to the G1 2000 Guineas winner GLENEAGLES, JOAN OF ARC is not guaranteed to stay this extra distance. She has the class, but does she have the stamina?

SELECTIONS: 13. PHILOMENE, 8. BURGARITA, 6. JOAN OF ARC, 4. INCARVILLE & 11. HARAJUKU

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