Darley Pomone Preview: Ebaiyra vs. the Ladies

This 99th edition of the Darley Prix de Pomone (Gr2) derives a large part of its interest from the participation of the 3-year-old Ebaiyra (Distorted Humor), the only one of her generation to try to succeed Dame Malliot and the 60 fillies who dominated their elders in this female version of the Deauville Grand Prix.

The Aga Khan homebred sparked excitement by winning the Prix de Royaumont (Gr3) 1m4f and seemed taken aback over the Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1)’s shorter trip. It will, therefore, be interesting to see her again facing seasoned female fighters, such as Spirit of Nelson (Mount Nelson), who does not usually venture on such long trips, or Palomba (Lope de Vega), also looking for a way back to the front row, and Grand Glory (Olympic Glory), who also seems to be looking for a new opportunity to shine. As for the raiders, what would be a Deauville Group race without their fearsome assaults?

• 1. SATOMI (f4, GER by Teofilo and Sword Half, by Haafhd) Rating: 109lbs

Trained in Germany by Markus Klug, sold for € 130,000 at the Baden-Baden sales, she seems to perform better on good ground and if a previous foray into France, in the Prix de Royallieu (Gr1) on very soft ground, ended by failure, she still won her last two races, namely a Listed over 11f, then a Group 2 over 1m4f at the expense of Windstoss, who runs in the Prix Kergorlay on Sunday. She will carry a kilo as a penalty though.

• 2. GRAND GLORY (f4, GB by Olympic Glory and Madonna Lily, by Daylami) Rating: 107lbs

Trained at Maisons-Laffitte by Gianluca Bietolini, bought € 18,000 at the Deauville sales, she won two races at 2 and 3 before taking third place in the Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1) last year. The winner this season of the Prix Zarkava (L) for her comeback, she conceded the victory to Ambition in the Prix Corrida (Gr2) in Lyon-Parilly.

She is entered in the Prix de l'Opéra Longines (Gr1) and the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Gr1).

• 3. MASHAEL (f4, FRA by Dubawi and Al Jassasiyah, by Galileo) Rating: 98lbs

Trained at Chantilly by André Fabre, bred by her owners, she won her first race after three outings last year but immediately confirmed with a Listed win in the Prix Charles Laffite (L), over 10f in Compiègne. Three lengths behind Spirit of Nelson in the Prix de Flore (Gr3) after that, she was sixth for her comeback at Clairefontaine, perhaps hampered by an incident at the start of the homestretch, even though she did not look very threatening then...

She is entered in the Prix de Royallieu (Gr1).

• 4. LIBERTY LONDON (f4, GER by Maxios and Ledicea, by Medicean) Rating: 98lbs

Trained in Germany by Waldemar Hickst, bred by her owners, she has just won a Listed over 1m4f at Clairefontaine, notably beating Mashael, a feat that her previous performances in Germany did not necessarily help to forecast (she was the third-longest odds in the field). If she produces the same level of performance, however, she should once again end up in the frame.

• 5. SPIRIT OF NELSON (f5, IRE by Mount Nelson and Spirit of Pearl, by Invincible Spirit) Rating: 105lbs

Trained in Provence by Jérôme Reynier, bred by her owner, she is very consistent, like many good horses in her yard. Fifth in the Prix Jean Romanet (Gr1) last year, she is now aiming lower and has managed to win two Group 3 since then. This new prey, at a longer distance than usual, might be within her reach.

She is entered in the Prix de l'Opéra Longines (Gr1).

• 6. SPIRIT OF APPIN (f5, GB by Champs Elysees and Oshiponga, by Barathea) Rating: 104lbs

Trained in England by Brian Meehan, she won a Group 3 over that distance last year and has just run well at Goodwood against the males, but her best performances have come on good ground.

She is entered in the Qatar Prix de Royallieu (Gr1).

• 7. PALOMBA (f4, IRE by Lope de Vega and Australienne, by Monsun) Rating: 107lbs

Trained in Chantilly by Carlos Laffon-Parias, bred by her owners, she won her maiden at Argentan, then finished third in the Prix Minerve (Gr3) at Deauville last summer to end the season with a victory in the Prix Vulcain (L ) over 12.5f, in October on very heavy ground. She behaved well for her comeback in the Prix Ganay (Gr1) but it is difficult to assess her condition right now.

She is entered in the Prix de l'Opéra Longines (Gr1), the Qatar Prix de Royallieu (Gr1) and the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Gr1).

• 8. EBAIYRA (f3, USA by Distorted Humor and Ebiyza, by Rock of Gibraltar) Rating: 107lbs

Trained in Chantilly by Alain de Royer Dupré, bred by her owner, she is the only 3-year-old to start. She started at 2 in September with a second place. Second again for her comeback this year, she won her first race immediately afterwards in the Prix de Royaumont (Gr3), over 1m4f, with over three lengths to spare. Her performance in the Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1), where she finished sixth, is difficult to assess. This race is for her a good opportunity to come back into the game by the front door if the pace is consistent enough.

She is entered in the Prix de l'Opéra Longines (Gr1), the Qatar Prix de Royallieu (Gr1) and the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Gr1).