Parisian Elegance, a winner at Thirsk last month, can underline her burgeoning prowess by triumphing in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot tomorrow.
Success in this Group 3 race would be a remarkable change in fortunes for the Zilzal filly, who failed to attract a bid when she was sent to the yearling sales at Newmarket last autumn.
Since then, however, she has proved to be a high-class two-year-old, winning easily at Southwell and then following up in stronger company at Thirsk.
Princess Sofie, second in the latter race, has won twice since then, while Louvolite, third at Thirsk, won her next race, at Redcar.
Parisian Elegance, trained at Newmarket by Robert Cowell, will be taking on a host of strong rivals tomorrow, not least Latin Lynx, trained by David Loder, whose juveniles have been virtually unbeatable this season.
But, like a year ago, when Tim Easterby's Romantic Myth won the Queen Mary Stakes, there is every reason to believe that Parisian Elegance can triumph this time. Brett Doyle, her regular partner, again has the mount on my Nap selection.
The £250,000 Prince of Wales's Stakes features a potentially thrilling clash between Fantastic Light, Kalanisi and Observatory, with Endless Hall and Border Arrow adding more excitement.
I prefer Kalanisi, winner of the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot last year before ending the campaign with victories in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket and the Breeders Cup Turf at Churchill Downs in the United States.
Although Fantastic Light had the edge over Kalanisi when they met at the Curragh last month, Godolphin horses seldom improve much for a race and my view is that Kalanisi will have the call this time.
He promises to provide Kieren Fallon - out of luck on all his five mounts at Musselburgh yesterday - with a superb ride.
Fallon also has good prospects aboard Tough Speed - runner-up at York last month - in the Royal Hunt Cup, but I think this cavalry charge will be won by Surprise Encounter, a fluent winner at Doncaster on his reappearance under Frankie Dettori, who has the mount again tomorrow.
At Ripon's evening fixture tomorrow, make a note of the well-regarded Bella Chica (7.30) and Armagnac (8.00).
The latter, trained at Warthill, near York by Mark Buckley, bids for quick compensation in the feature race after his narrow defeat in the William Hill Trophy on Knavesmire last Saturday.
Updated: 12:52 Tuesday, June 19, 2001
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