Fabre plots next steps for Guineas fourth Zellie and highly touted Raclette

Andre Fabre is eying a step up in trip for two of his highest-profile three-year-olds, with neither Zellie nor Raclette now expected to line up in next Sunday's Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches.

Zellie took a big step forward from her comeback run in the Prix Imprudence when she charged home late under Tom Marquand to snatch fourth in the Qipco 1,000 Guineas.

A Group 1 winner last season when outstaying her rivals in the Prix Marcel Boussac, the daughter of Wootton Bassett will now be aimed at the Prix de Diane Longines, the French version of the Oaks run over an extended mile and a quarter at Chantilly on June 19.

"Zellie has come out of the Guineas well," said Fabre. "She will go for the Prix de Diane now."

Zellie and Tom Marquand (second from right, white cap) charge home late to finish fourth in the 1,000 GuineasCredit: Mark Cranham

Zellie was drawn towards the stands' side at Newmarket in stall ten of 13 – well away from the pace set by Cachet – and was hard-ridden by Tom Marquand three furlongs out, before running on well when hitting the rising ground.

Asked if a lower draw might have helped Zellie achieve a better result, Fabre said: "She might have finished a bit closer for third place perhaps, who knows?"

Nine of the last 14 winners of the Prix de Diane previously contested an English, French or Irish Guineas and Zellie will attempt to emulate Laurens, who placed at Newmarket before tasting Classic glory at Chantilly.

Zellie's stablemate Raclette began the season as one of the most talked-about French horses in training on the back of two easy victories as a two-year-old, but failed to pick up from the rear of the field in her comeback at Longchamp in the Prix de la Grotte.

Raclette ahead of her comeback run in the Prix de la Grotte at Longchamp last monthCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

The Group 3 race has often acted as a springboard for the Poule d'Essai but Fabre warned that Raclette had been slow to come to hand and would need the run.

Juddmonte's homebred daughter of Frankel was contesting her first stakes race in the Grotte and while the Diane might still lie in her future, Fabre will first concentrate on trying to earn some black type, with a Listed option over nine furlongs on May 19 the current target.

"It was not obvious that the race had done Raclette good but she is looking better now," said Fabre. "She looked very winterish ahead of the Prix de la Grotte. She could go for the Prix Finlande."

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