This looks a solid rather than exceptional Group 3, with several fillies bringing credible Listed or Group form but no established Pattern performer who sets an intimidating standard. On my figures the race has a pre-race rating of 108, a shade below the normal 110 Group 3 anchor.
Narissa (108) sets the standard. She was third in the Marcel Boussac at two and fourth in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches this spring, before confirming her wellbeing with a Listed success on Deauville's AW track in June. She is exposed enough that a major jump forward cannot be assumed, but her form is dependable and she looks the safest yardstick in the field.
The more interesting potential improver is Hassaleh (107). She took a sizeable step forward when winning a 14-runner Listed race over 7f here last month, travelling through the race like a filly who had progressed considerably from her earlier form. The move to a mile looks perfectly reasonable and she remains lightly raced. She needs another step to establish herself as a genuine Group filly, but there is more reason to expect improvement from her than from most of these.
The Prettiest Star (107) is capable of winning if returning to the level of her fourth in the 1,000 Guineas. Her subsequent Jersey Stakes effort was disappointing, but one poor run shouldn't erase the Newmarket evidence. With only four starts behind her she is hardly exposed, although she does need to show that the Guineas performance represents her true level.
Vaticana (106) and Esna (105) give the race further depth. Vaticana was second in a Chantilly Group 2 in May and is better judged on that than her subsequent AW defeat behind Narissa. Esna returned to something close to her best when second in an Ascot Group 3 last time, but her overall profile is less reliable.
Fortuna Diamond (104) is another with some potential. She won her first three races, including a Longchamp Listed contest over this trip, before finishing second on her Group 3 debut in Germany. She needs improvement on that performance but remains sufficiently unexposed for it to be possible.
Indifferente (103) deserves respect after finishing second in the German 1,000 Guineas. That form has subsequently received a boost through the winner, although collateral form alone isn't enough to raise Indifferente substantially on the figures.
Of those coming from a lower level, Braida (100) is the most interesting. She has won her last two and clearly remains progressive, but this represents a significant rise in standard. Awaken (99) has some respectable juvenile form and met trouble at Goodwood last time, so she is capable of better than her finishing position there suggests.
Repel, Kozlovskha, Orion's Belt and Viva La Skids have more to find on established form.
Private ratings
Horse| Rating
Narissa| 108
Hassaleh| 107
The Prettiest Star| 107
Vaticana| 106
Esna| 105
Fortuna Diamond| 104
Indifferente| 103
Braida| 100
Awaken| 99
Kozlovskha| 97
Repel| 97
Orion's Belt| 95
Viva La Skids| 94
Verdict
Hassaleh is the most interesting runner at the prices. Narissa has the strongest established credentials and deserves considerable respect, but there is relatively little between the principals on current figures. Hassaleh's latest performance suggests she may still be progressing quickly enough to bridge that gap.
Selection: HASSALEH
Main danger: NARISSA
Interesting at a bigger price: VATICANA
Pre-race race rating: 108
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