British fillies bid for French glory

Silver Touch and Dama’A launch a two-pronged British assault on Sunday’s Gainsborough Poule D’Essai Des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) at Longchamp.

The Mick Channon-trained Silver Touch will be making a huge leap up in class after winning a Newbury maiden on her racecourse bow but Channon is hoping she will prove up to the task.

“I really like this filly – she’s a great walker,” he said.

“I didn’t run her last year because she was so big and needed some time but I always thought a lot of her.

“I would have liked to have got another run into her but it wasn’t possible. It’s a big step up but she’s worked well and has a touch of class.”

Dama’A will represent John Gosden and she is another making a huge leap in class after finishing fourth in a Windsor maiden last time.

The home team is headed by Daltaya, winner of the Prix de la Grotte and a half-sister to top performers Daylami and Dalakhani.

Price Tag, third in that Longchamp race, reopposes for Pascal Bary while Aidan O’Brien runs Kamarinskaya and Beauty Bright, with the former the choice of Kieren Fallon.

New Girlfriend will make her seasonal bow for Robert Collet and Carlos Laffon-Parias runs both Silva and Impresionnante.

The 13-strong line-up is completed by Daaly Babet, Damoiselle, Mauralakana and Tie Black.