Cinderella's Dream the One to Beat in Prix Romanet

Lovers of historical trends will be frustrated to find that every one of the previous 21 runnings of the Prix Jean Romanet (G1) lacked a key component, one that makes comparison next to futile. That's because for the first time Aug. 24, the race has been opened to 3-year-olds as well as older fillies and mares and in the first year of that change, it's arguably Bedtime Story (IRE) and Cankoura (FR) who provide the obvious place to start, having finished second and third in the Prix de Diane (G1). Ryan Moore was forced to abandon his policy of going the shortest route at Chantilly before Bedtime Story ran home in under :34 seconds for the final three furlongs, failing by a length to catch Gezora (FR). The Nassau Stakes (G1) turned into a non-event for Bedtime Story, but she is worth persevering with at this intermediate 10-furlong trip, for all that Aidan O'Brien has her entered in everything from the seven-furlong Prix de la Foret (G1) to the one-mile-and-six-furlong Prix de Royallieu (G1) over Arc weekend. Cankoura has half a length to find with Bedtime Story from the Diane but handled Deauville well when winning over course and distance in the Prix de Pysche (G3) at the start of the month. The pair come out clear best on official ratings with the weight-for-age allowance, and if Bedtime Story or Cankoura can repeat their run in the Diane, it will take a serious performance by one of their elders to stop a small piece of history being created. Cinderella's Dream (GB) has mostly been campaigned at just short of this trip but has group- and grade 1-winning form at both a mile and 1 1/2 miles, although this is not the most stamina-sapping track in Europe, while Survie might be the best of the older brigade from France. After failing by a head against Moira on her first start at 1 3/8 miles in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1T) in November, Cinderella's Dream has enjoyed a fruitful campaign in Europe this season, winning the Dahlia Stakes (G2) and the Falmouth Stakes (G1) on either side of a second place at Royal Ascot. The extra distance looks unlikely to be the beating of the Shamardal 4-year-old, who should also handle the tight turns of Deauville. "We have been looking forward to stepping Cinderella's Dream back up to a mile and a quarter," said trainer Charlie Appleby. "It was great to see her win over a mile in the Falmouth, but her best form has arguably been over further. "She is very versatile in terms of ground and is probably the one to beat."