Hollie Doyle and Tom Marquand bid for French Classic glory in Prix de Diane

Prix de Diane Longines (Group 1) | 3yo fillies | 1m2½f | Sky

John and Thady Gosden will attempt to repeat a major piece of Classic history in saddling Nashwa, who connections hope will follow the example of Star Of Seville in bouncing back from defeat in the Oaks to land the French equivalent.

In the case of her predecessor seven years ago there was only a gap of nine days whereas Nashwa, who appeared not to stay the mile and a half at Epsom as strongly as Tuesday and Emily Upjohn, has had an extra week to regather.

Hollie Doyle did not insist on maximum effort once assured third and will create some pretty big headlines if she lands what would be by far the biggest victory of her association with owner-breeder Imad Alsagar.

On official ratings she is 1lb less than Zellie, the pick of four Andre Fabre-trained fillies with and Tom Marquand retains the association after finishing well to be fourth to Cachet in the 1,000 Guineas.

Toy carried a big reputation into the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches but was no match for the principals when finishing eleventh. However, she hails from a family with some history in the Prix de Diane, given her sisters Joan Of Arc and Happily finished first and fourth respectively.

Toy: sole runner for last year's winning trainer Aidan O'BrienCredit: David Keane

Among a host of plausible home candidates in what looks a wide-open race, Rosacea received a hefty bump at a crucial stage of the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and has a potent turn of foot if Christophe Soumillon can preserve her stamina from an unhelpful wide draw.

Times Square finished one place in front of her at Longchamp and looks slightly more assured on pedigree to stay for owner-breeder Alan Belshaw, while Daisy Maisy finished well to be fifth in the same race.

Unusually only two of the 18 fillies to face the starter have winning form on Chantilly's turf track; Tariyana broke her maiden here barely a month ago but is drawn widest of all, while David Menuisier sends Ottilien back to the course and will be hoping that Chantilly catches a summer storm to ease the going.

Nashwa 'in great shape' for Diane

Oaks third Nashwa bids to go two better in the French equivalent with connections confident she will be seen to best effect dropping back in trip to 1m2½f.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained filly had every chance in the Epsom Classic 16 days ago and was beaten by three and a quarter lengths.

That career-best effort gives her sound claims in this Group 1 contest, which has been won by a runner trained Britain or Ireland for three of the past four years.

Hollie Doyle: rides Prix de Diane favourite NashwaCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Imad Alsagar, said: "She's progressed really pleasingly this year and ran a super race in the Oaks, where she probably didn't quite stay.

"She came out of the race really well and she's in great shape for this. The Epsom form should hopefully prove pretty strong, particularly for the first three. She's up against some very decent French horses, so it will be interesting to see how she measures up."

What they say

Andre Fabre, trainer of Agave, Place Du Carrousel, Zellie and Babala
Agave has done well since the Greffulhe. She has been quite a backward filly this year. I would have preferred the ground a bit softer for her. Place Du Carrousel is in the same sort of form as before the Saint-Alary and her rating says she needs to improve to win the Prix de Diane. Zellie has been very good since the 1,000 Guineas. I'm slightly worried about the interval but I decided to keep her fresh for this race. She has the rating and experience that makes me quite hopeful for her and I expect her to stay. Babala has a good attitude and I'm not too worried about her lack of experience, she's not that green. To be fair it would be a good surprise to see her win.

Zellie is the best on ratings of Andre Fabre's four runners in the Prix de Diane LonginesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Francis Graffard, trainer of Tariyana
She's very well and I'm very happy to have a crack at this but the draw has made things very tough for her.

Christophe Ferland, trainer of Times Square
Draw nine is fine for her and she should be able to follow whatever pace is on. Stephane Pasquier is a top jockey and is delighted to be riding her, so let's hope the story will be even better than in the Poule d'Essai.

Carlos Lerner, joint-trainer of La Parisienne and Queen Trezy
Both fillies breezed on Monday and everything went well. The week before Gerald Mosse worked La Parisienne on the racecourse at Chantilly.

Yann Barberot, trainer of Daisy Maisy
In the Poule d'Essai she was always slightly on the back foot and was then a little tapped for toe by Mangoustine before closing her down again. I think the longer trip will be better for her and I don't think 11 is a bad draw. We're next to Rosacea's pacemaker, so she should get a nice tow into the race.

Stephane Wattel believes on homework and pedigree that Rosacea will stay the tripCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

Stephane Wattel, trainer of Galla and Rosacea
Rosacea has worked very well over this new trip and on pedigree it makes sense to step her up in distance. The wide draw has made life harder. There was a lot of pressure going to into the Poule d'Essai whereas now we're one of plenty with chances.

David Menuisier, trainer of Ottilien
She will only run if they get some rain but if they do she would be a live contender from a good draw. Her form is very good, she's a course winner and you can take her Goodwood fourth with a pinch of salt. It was a miracle she finished where she did – she was too keen but wears a hood this time.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Toy
She hasn't run since the French Guineas but we always thought the step up in trip would suit her. She's been in good form at home over the last few weeks but she's not well drawn out in stall 16.

Romain Le Dren Doleuze, trainer of Nadette
We didn't demand too much of her at two and gave her time to grow through the winter, for which she is paying us back. Now she is really flourishing.

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