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Alice Springs contests Poule d'Essai des Pouliches for Aidan O'Brien

Alice Springs (navy silks) has yet to win at Group level but has run a series of good races in defeat
Alice Springs (navy silks) has yet to win at Group level but has run a series of good races in defeat

Aidan O'Brien's 1000 Guineas third Alice Springs journeys to France to contest the French equivalent at Deauville on Sunday.

The daughter of Galileo picked up minor honours behind stable companions Minding and Ballydoyle at Newmarket as O'Brien dominated the Rowley Mile Classic.

Alice Springs is reopposed in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches by the John Gosden-trained Nathra, who won the Nell Gwyn on her seasonal reappearance before finishing fifth in the Guineas.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager for owner Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah, said: "Nathra ran a great race at Newmarket. The front three were just better than her on the day.

"We feel she just stays the mile and hopefully she will stay the mile at Deauville.

"She came home from the Guineas very well. Within a couple of days John felt she would be ready to run in the French Guineas.

"He's very happy with her, but she does have a terrible draw (stall 14) to overcome."

The only other British challenger is Besharah from William Haggas' yard.

Last season's Princess Margaret and Lowther Stakes winner was beaten into third in a hastily-rearranged Fred Darling Stakes on the all-weather at Chelmsford last month.

Raymond also represents Besharah's owner, Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum, and added: "Besharah seems in good shape. She had to come from a long way back at Chelmsford and after that William was keen to miss the Guineas at Newmarket and wait for France.

"She hasn't run over a mile, but William feels she'll get the trip, so we'll see.

"We're hopeful rather than confident."

Heading the home team is Jean-Claude Rouget's Qemah.

The Danehill Dancer filly was third behind Ballydoyle in the Prix Marcel Boussac last October and made a hugely impressive return in the Prix de la Grotte at Chantilly.

Harry Herbert, racing manager for owners Al Shaqab Racing, said: "She ran a very good race in the Boussac last year and she's a filly who did particularly well over the winter.

"I think everyone saw how impressive she was in her trial, she's well forward and forward in her coat.

"I know Jean-Claude really rates her and she has a terrific turn of foot, which is a useful weapon to have in a racehorse.

"I think the straight mile at Deauville will suit, we're very excited about her and we're hopeful she'll be competitive."

Master trainer Andrew Fabre runs the Godolphin-owned Come Alive, who has won each of her two starts to date.

John Ferguson, racing manager and chief executive for the owners, told www.godolphin.com: "Come Alive is a filly Andre has always held in high regard and the fact that he wants to run her in the Guineas is good enough for me."

Rouget also runs multiple winner La Cressonniere, while Pascal Bary's Antonoe and Christophe Ferland's Kenriya also feature in a 14-strong field.

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