Corrida: Grand on the path to Glory

The Prix Corrida (Gr2), run at Lyon-Parilly this year, takes place a week only later than usual. Unlike the Greffulhe and Cleopatre, run on the same day, it is not regarded as a prep race but rather a part of a program created to promote the distaff division of females in racing. We thus find among the past winners some queens of the turf, like the great champion of the 30s who gave her name to the race: the Arc winners Solemia and Trève, for instance, but also Siljan's Saga, and before them Pride, Mandesha and Plumania, without mentioning those who placed themselves in the race.

The next stop on this route is the Prix Jean Romanet (Gr1), mid-August in Deauville, possibly passing through the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Gr1), which is scheduled for this year on June 28.

They are six at the start this year, all 4 years old with the exception of Spirit of Nelson (Mount Nelson), and the best-rated contender is Grand Glory (Olympic Glory), third of the 2019 French oaks who has just won the Prix Zarkava (L) .

• 1. GRAND GLORY (f4, GB by Olympic Glory and Madonna Lily, by Daylami) Rating: 110lbs

One of the best in her class last year in France, she took third place in the Prix de Diane Longines (French Oaks, Gr1) and was never seen again. Yet she caused a sensation for her return in the Prix Zarkava (L) by easily defeating Romancière, whom she finds again at the start here.

• 2. MUTAMAKINA (f4, GB by Nathaniel and Joshua’s Princess, by Danehill) Rating: 109lbs

Winner of two consecutive races last year including the Prix Madame Couturié (L), aka the Vichy Oaks, she then took second place in the Shadwell Prix de la Nonette (Gr2) and then the Qatar Prix Niel (Gr2) within two lengths of Sottsass before failing in the Qatar Prix de Royallieu (Gr1) on longer. It will be her seasonal return.

• 3. AMBITION (f4, GB by Dubawi and Talent, by New Approach) Rating: 105lbs

Rather consistent, she really failed only once, in the Prix Madame Couturié (L) at Vichy won by Mutamakina, but she always finished in the top three apart from that blip, and she finished the season with a success in the Prix Fille de l'Air (Gr3) in Toulouse. She starts here her 2020 campaign

• 4. AMARENA (f4, FRA by Soldier Hollow and Amouage, by Tiger Hill) Rating: 104lbs

Impressive winner of the Prix de la Seine (L) last year for her debut in France after having started her career in Germany, she then failed in the Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1) after travelling outside of the leaders and was not seen again afterwards. She moved twice from one yard to another, started this season with a third place in the Prix Gold River (L) over 14 furlongs, only one length behind the winner.

• 5. SPIRIT OF NELSON (f5, IRE by Mount Nelson and Spirit of Pearl, by Invincible Spirit) Rating: 106lbs

The only 5yo in the race, she climbed the ladder at her own pace last year and won her Listed before taking fifth place in the Prix Jean Romanet (Gr1). Winner of the Prix de Flore (Gr3), she failed afterwards in the Prix Fille de l'Air (Gr3) on heavy ground, but made a great return in the Prix Exbury (Gr3), at Saint-Cloud two lengths behind Simona.

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

Impressive for her 2-year-old debut, she has not won again since but finished second or third in three Group 3 last year. She has just made a good comeback at ParisLongchamp but could not do anything that day against Gland Glory, who is the likely favourite here.