'She's got a great chance' – Fallen Angel leads strong raiding party for cracking Prix de l'Opera

In a parallel universe both Fallen Angel and Ylang Ylang might easily have been running 24 hours earlier in the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket, while Sparkling Plenty might have been supplemented for the Arc. 

The presence of those three fillies has added immeasurably to a Prix de l'Opera in which there are several different form threads to pull at and in which none of the 11 runners can be confidently ruled out. 

A theme that is worth revisiting on a regular basis is to look for horses who have potentially something left to give at the end of a long season butting heads in Group 1s, and to that end Fallen Angel making just her fourth start is an appealing angle to explore. 

The daughter of Too Darn Hot was not seen for 111 days between her win in the Irish 1,000 Guineas and her excellent second behind Porta Fortuna in the Matron three weeks ago. 

Her ability to stretch out to ten furlongs needs to be taken on trust, although Karl Burke seems confident Fallen Angel is ready on that front. 

Ylang Ylang has made one more appearance and has yet to make the frame this season, but Ryan Moore trusts her ability to step up two furlongs over Content coming back in trip from the Yorkshire Oaks.

Ylang Ylang's three-year-old season has not gone to plan thus farCredit: CAROLINE NORRIS

Sparkling Plenty ran in the Prix Vermeille over 1m4f as a prequel to a potential supplementation for the Arc, but while that trial was inconclusive, she looks to be in the right spot here as she bids to repeat the pattern of last year's Opera winner, Blue Rose Cen. Both fillies won the Prix de Diane, made the frame in the Nassau and then were out of the picture in the Vermeille. 

Friendly Soul looked to be progressing rapidly when landing the Prix Alec Head at Deauville as both she and Running Lion bid to fill one of the few Group 1 gaps on John Gosden's CV. 

Also lightly raced and stepping up from Group 2 level is the Aga Khan's Hanalia, who was a good winner of the Blandford Stakes at the Irish Champions Festival and who could have more to give under Shane Foley for Johnny Murtagh.

What they say

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of American Sonja
She's in good form and just didn't get the rub of the green last time at the Curragh. Hopefully she can come back to her previous form and that would give her a chance of finishing in the top five.

John Gosden, joint-trainer of Running Lion and Friendly Soul
This looks the right race for Friendly Soul, who won in France last time but the ground would be a worry if they get the rain as the race is after the Arc so it could have some wear and tear on it by then. Running Lion won nicely at Royal Ascot and is back from a break and should handle the ground if it goes soft.  

Rupert Pritchard Gordon, racing manager in France to Al Shaqab, co-owners of Sparkling Plenty
In the Vermeille things just didn't work out when she got too far back. She finished well all things considered. It's been a busy year but everyone is very pleased for her and we just think the mile and a quarter is a distance she is effective at. She's a strong-travelling filly and likes to have some pace to aim at. With Mqse De Sevigne, Aventure and Bluestocking all going for the Arc, the Opera looked the logical race.

Aidan O'Brien: runs Content and Ylang YlangCredit: Edward Whitaker

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Ylang Ylang and Content
Ryan [Moore] just felt Ylang Ylang missed the kick a little bit in the Matron so he decided to take his time. She came home lovely and we always thought she would be well suited to a mile and a quarter. She has a nice draw and seems to be progressing nicely. Content is drawn out wide, but we normally take our time with her so it shouldn't make too much difference. She's down in trip from the Yorkshire Oaks, but she should be fine over it.

Karl Burke, trainer of Fallen Angel
I think she's got a great chance. Her pedigree says she'll stay further and the way she races says the same. She's travelled over really well and the ground will be no problem. She just needs a bit of luck.

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