Vermeille target for Galikova

Freddie Head is sure Galikova is better than she showed when second in the Prix de Diane at Chantilly yesterday.

The half-sister to esteemed stablemate Goldikova was sent off the hot favourite for the French Oaks but took time to hit top gear and had to make do with the runner-up spot behind Golden Lilac, beaten a length.

Head will now prepare his filly for the Prix Vermeille over a mile and a half on Arc trials day at Longchamp in September, and is undecided whether to run her again in the meantime.

“She is very well this morning. Maybe she just had an off-day,” said Head.

“She still ran a good race and was not beaten far. We will aim her at the Prix Vermeille and decide whether we enter her somewhere else beforehand.”