'It's a stepping stone' - can Tamfana tee up a return to Group 1 company with a well-deserved success?

For many punters Tamfana will be the banker among the eight live races on ITV. For some, she might be the lay of the day at her price.

On one side of the coin Tamfana has performed with huge credit in Group 1s on her past three runs. Form figures of 434 attest to that. On the other, her presence in the Atalanta Stakes smacks of a plan B or even C.

Tamfana lacked the same conviction at the finish in the Grand Prix de Paris after racing keenly as she did in the 1,000 Guineas and Prix de Diane. The 1m4f on soft ground at Longchamp stretched her and a mile on fast going at Sandown is evidently a different type of test.

Perhaps her optimum distance lies somewhere between the trips of the Grand Prix de Paris and Atalanta. You cannot crab her achievements, though, and few could knock the exploits of Doha this season either.

Doha also drops out of Group 1 company after finishing fifth in the Nassau Stakes behind Opera Singer last time. We know a mile suits the Kensington Palace winner.

If you are of the view the trip is sharper than Tamfana ideally wants, a concern amplified by a possible lack of early pace, then the percentage call is to play something each-way against her.

Doha is a logical alternative. Rolica is another worth considering given her unexposed profile. Despite finishing two places behind Tamfana in the 1,000 Guineas, Rolica arrives as something of a forgotten filly.

She didn’t appear to be overly comfortable on the Rowley Mile that day, unsurprising for one with so little experience, and may find Sandown more to liking. A Sun Chariot entry points towards a potentially bright autumn, and Jane Chapple-Hyam can be trusted to have her ready following three months off.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

Menuisier eyes return to Group 1 company for Tamfana

Tamfana bids for a deserved first win of the season and the second Group 3 triumph of her career, but her trainer David Menuisier hopes it can be a successful launchpad back to the highest level.

The three-year-old was a winner at this level in France as a juvenile last year, but has run some admirable races in defeat this season. She finished an unlucky fourth when flying home in the 1,000 Guineas, before she took third in the Prix de Diane.

Tamfana (right): finished just a length behind Elmalka (second right) in the 1,000 Guineas

Tamfana (right): ran a stormer in the 1,000 Guineas earlier this yearCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Tamfana was last seen finishing fourth in the Grand Prix de Paris last month over 1m4f, but drops significantly in trip for this. Menuisier wants the test to tee her up for a lucrative autumn, given she holds entries in the Prix de l'Opera and Sun Chariot Stakes.

Menuisier said: "She's had a little break after Longchamp and seems to be in good form, so fingers crossed for a good run. We're hoping it's a stepping stone back to the highest level this autumn.

"Both of those races are options on the table at this stage, but we'll need to see how we get on in this first and make a firmer plan afterwards for where she goes."

What they say

Alison Begley, racing manager to Al Shaqab Racing, owners of Doha
She's very genuine and loves her racing, and has been in really great order since Goodwood. We were delighted with that run and the Nassau looks like it'll be proper Group 1 form. She was unlucky not to win at Pontefract the time before that and has done nothing but improve. Tamfana brings the best top-level form into the race and looks the one to beat, but Ralph [Beckett, trainer] is really happy with ours and she's got a good chance. The stiff mile should suit too.

Richard Spencer, trainer of Naomi Lapaglia
She's stepped up this year and fulfilled her potential. She's come out of her run at Haydock well. That race wasn't run to suit and I hope she'll give a good account of herself here. It's a tough race and Tamfana stands out for David Menuisier.

Karl Burke, trainer of Bright Thunder
She got no run at all last time at Deauville and we've put a line through that. She was a good winner at Chantilly the time before and she goes there with a nice chance.

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Spiritual
She won the Listed Distaff over this course and distance, so we know she likes the track and trip. Hopefully she can bounce back from her run at Deauville last time, where the ground may have been a bit quick for her.
Reporting by Matt Rennie

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