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Favourite Ballydoyle faces tough French Oaks draw

Ballydoyle on her way to victory at Longchamp in 2015
Ballydoyle on her way to victory at Longchamp in 2015

Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle will need to defy a high draw if she is to justify favouritism in the French Oaks at Chantilly on Sunday.

The runner up to Minding in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket - form which now looks very strong - is an 11/4 favourite to take the French Classic.

O'Brien is also represented by Coolmore, who last of 10 behind Jet Setting in the Irish Guineas at the Curragh and as a result has plenty to prove.

John Gosden's Swiss Range also represents a live chance in the 16-horse field.

The Khalid Abdullah-owned filly, an impressive winner of the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket, has fared well in the draw and will break from stall three.

Frankie Dettori will have have a familiar face next to him at the start as Seamie Heffernan's mount Coolmore is in stall two.

The home team is led by the unbeaten La Cressonniere, winner of the French 1000 Guineas for Jean-Claude Rouget.


Stablemate Jemayel and Pia Brandt's Camprock, respective first and second in the Prix Saint-Alary, clash again, with The Juliet Rose and Volta other leading contenders.

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