'This will be a different test' - will unbeaten Zarigana handle the heat of Arc day in the Marcel Boussac?

Form in the book versus potential is always an interesting conundrum, and in the case of the Prix Marcel Boussac the market is favouring the latter with the exciting Zarigana occupying favouritism.

That position is based a bit more on style than substance, the Group 3 that she won at Longchamp last month a solid but unspectacular piece of form, but what really whets the appetite about Zarigana is what she might do here and into next year.

She’s from an excellent family, her dam being related to a Group 1 winner and out of Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine Zarkava, and the impression she’s created in her two starts has been striking. This will test her mettle to a greater degree, but it’s likely that she has the potential to answer the call.

Bedtime Story (left) and Simmering are the main opposition to Zarigana

The form standard is set by Bedtime Story, who produced one of the leading juvenile performances of the year when bolting up in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Oddly her performance figures have gone backwards since that day, which wasn’t a concern given the opposition she’d faced until her somewhat lacklustre run in the Moyglare last time. It’s too early to write her off, but she’ll need to be the filly she looked like being at Ascot to contain Zarigana here.

That pair dominate the market, to the extent that Simmering is the only other horse at a single-figure price. She lost little in defeat to subsequent Cheveley Park winner Lake Victoria last time, but will probably need to step up again here.
Analysis by Matt Gardner

What They Say

Francis Graffard, trainer of Zarigana and Vertical Blue
In the Prix d'Aumale Zarigana got to the front so easily on the back of that acceleration and she was definitely looking around a bit once she got there and even past the winning line. I think she learned a lot but she’s still a baby and running on Arc day with a big crowd, potentially on deep ground and against better horses, will be a different test. Whatever happens in the Boussac, she’ll really be one to look forward to at three. Vertical Blue is a filly I like a lot and is in good form.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Bedtime Story and Exactly
The Moyglare wasn't too long ago and we obviously haven't done a whole lot with either of the fillies since then. Bedtime Story jumped smart and was keen in the Moyglare, so we think that was the reason for her little bit of a disappointing run there. That's what we're putting it down to. Exactly is a good, consistent filly who is going to appreciate the mile and seems in good form.

Christopher Head, trainer of Rosa Salvaje and La Guapisima
Rosa Salvaje is improving all the time and is a filly who will be even better at three. Stephane [Pasquier] knows her well and she’s looking sharp so I expect a nice performance. La Guapisima is in a race where experience is as important as quality and she has both. I’m very happy with her. She’ll be a filly for 2,000 metres next year and Aurelien [Lemaitre] is back on board, so it will be very interesting to see her at Group 1 level.

Yann Barberot, trainer of Lhakpa
I've had a clean run with her and she's been working well, so I'm expecting a good run. She's well drawn and straightforward.

Read more of Sunday's previews:

1.30 Longchamp: 'We think he might be ready to run a career-best' - who is in good shape to take on Solario star Field Of Gold? 

2.05 Longchamp: 'Dominant' Bradsell out to complete Group 1 sprint hat-trick in Abbaye - but Believing camp have reason to hope she can reverse form 

3.20 Longchamp: 'We said if there's one race this season we want him to be bang on for, it's the Arc' - top trainers on their Longchamp contenders 

4.40 Longchamp: 'He loves it round Longchamp' - can Kinross reclaim his Prix de la Foret crown? 

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