Prix Corrida : Morgan Le Faye one step higher

The Prix Corrida (Gr2), run on Monday at Saint-Cloud over 2,100 meters/10 1/2 furlongs, brought together six 4 years old and up fillies and mares. The likely favourite is Morgan Le Faye (Shamardal), who has just won the Prix Allez France ( Gr3) at ParisLongchamp, beating Tosen Gift (Lope de Vega) and Shahnaza (Azamour), who both take her on again. Two fresh mares will be her best rivals on paper, namely Golden Legend (Doctor Dino), second in the E P Taylor Stakes (Gr1) last year in Canada, and Listen In (Sea the Stars), winner of the Prix du Conseil de Paris (Gr2) at the end of the season. Both are coming back for a new season. Recent winner of a handicap on this course and distance, Musikaline (Martaline) completes the field.

Six 3-year-old fillies will also be at the start of the Prix Cléopâtre (Gr3). This 2,100-metres race, that is 10 1/2 furlongs, was designed to gear potential Prix de Diane Longines (French Oaks, Gr1) candidates, in four weeks. Four of the runners are already entered in that. Yet the double has not been achieved for a long time.

The only undefeated filly at the start, Shamiyla (Kingman), bred and owned by the Aga Khan, is also the least experienced since she just won her debut race, on the same course but over a mile. She will have to fear Etoile (Siyouni), who finished second in the Prix Vanteaux (Gr3) recently and had won twice previously. Volskha (Le Havre) is not entered in the Prix de Diane Longines but she has won two races this year, recently in the Prix du Haras des Granges-Prix Caravelle (L) where she finished only a nose ahead of Paramount (Siyouni), who also runs on Monday. Got Wind (Olympic Glory) has just finished third of another Listed event in Toulouse over the mile. She is extended beyond that distance for the first time and she is the other absent from the "Diane". Finally, the well-bred Villa d'Amore (Mastercraftsman) has just disappointed over 2,200 metres/11 furlongs after winning her first race.