La Coupe: A new era for Telecaster

Six are confirmed at the start of the 2020 La Coupe (Gr3), the opening race of the early card for our come back to ParisLongchamp, expected to be exposed to a heatwave.

Two come from abroad a year after the French-bred, English-trained Danceteria won the race. Since then the gelding has been exported to Australia after winning a German Gr1 in Münich-Riem over 10 furlongs.

The two raiders boast the best ratings in the race as Telecaster (New Approach) is rated 112lbs, as the 2019 Dante Stakes (Gr2) winner, even though he got well beaten twice after that in the Derby and the Eclipse. Trained in Czech Republic, 8yo veteran Subway Dancer (Shamardal) is a genuine Gr2 winner, at his last call last season over the Prix du Conseil de Paris (Gr2)'s 11 furlongs-trip in October last year on this very course, which costs him a 4lbs penalty here …

• 1. SUBWAY DANCER (g8, IRE by Shamardal ex Sub Rose, by Galileo) Rating: 111lbs

A regular feature in the International circuit, he is trained in Czech Republic but has nevertheless achieved some great things along the years such as finishing 3rd in the 2018 Champion Stakes (Gr1) at Ascot and winning the Prix du Conseil de Paris (Gr2) on this course and on 11 furlongs last time out, in October. However, that gives him a 4lbs penalty here and he has been away for more than 8 months now.

• 2. TELECASTER (h4, GB by New Approach ex Shirocco Star, par Shirocco) Rating: 112lbs

A Dante Stakes (Gr2) winner, he beat the champion 2yo Too Darn Hot in the Derby prep race but failed in both the Epsom classic and the Eclipse Stakes (Gr1). Out the whole season after that, ilhe has just come back finishing 3rd less than 2 lengths behind Lord North, who won the the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (GR1) at Royal Ascot.

• 3. DIAMOND VENDOME (g5, FRA by Style Vendôme ex Ordargent, by Kendargent) Rating: 104lbs

A good Grand Prix de Vichy (Gr3) winner last year on this distance, he struggles in the ned of the season but seemed better last Winter at Cagnes and recently finished 4th in the Grand Prix de Bordeaux (L). It is, however, more difficult here.

• 4. MR SATCHMO (g5, FRA by Mr Sidney ex Windya, by Linamix) Rating: 104lbs

Winner of two races last year in the Autumn, including the Grand Prix de Marseille (L) on a very soft ground, he failed after that in Doha, Qatar, and faded in his reappearance this season at Bordeaux.

• 5. NISREEN (f6, FRA by Raven’s Pass ex Badweia, by Kingmambo) Rating: 106lbs

A Listed-winner at 4, she ran only twice last season and won on both occasions at Nantes and then Deauville on the all-weather, and then went to Meydan. Twice second there to the good Magic Lily in. Gr2 races, before the latter eventually finished second too in a  Group 1 in Dubaï, she's better placed here, even though she hasn't run since February

• 6. ROMANCIÈRE (f4, IRE by Dansili ex Balladeuse, by Singspiel) Rating: 101lbs

A consistent filly, she was 6th last year in the Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1) and was always placed at Listed and Group 3 level ever after. She's come back nicely when 2nd to Diane 3rd Grand Glory.