Prix Diane: Ballydoyle fairytale to continue at 7/1

This year's edition of the Prix Diane – often referred to simply as the "French Oaks" – featured 15 fillies after the most recent declaration stage, with Falakeyah being the most notable withdrawal. With two forfeit stages remaining and four of the remaining entries being those of Ballydoyle, it seems almost certain that the final field to enter the starting gates at Chantilly racecourse will be of a manageable size.

Unlike in the French Derby, Ballydoyle and its all-powerful trainer Aidan O'Brien do not have the favourite for this race. Indeed, the O'Brien filly that is shortest in the betting, Bedtime Story, can be wagered on at 7/1. The AntePoster finds this quite appealing given that this stable has taken evey single one of the last four major Classics in the European calendar. This operation is simply a middle-distance powerhouse in peak form, with the added advantage of having the peerless Ryan Moore as its retained no. 1 jockey. On a cursory view, there is good reason to be dismissive of Bedtime Story's chances. Although she was simply brilliant in the summer of '24, racking up four consecutive victories that included a breathtaking 9-length victory in the listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot, it all then soured quickly. She over-raced (i.e. raced far too keenly) on her last three 2-year-old starts, and was over-raced by being taken to the well at least once too often. That downward trajectory perhaps explains why not a great deal was expected of this filly on her seasonal debut in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) a month ago. With Ryan Moore opting to ride Exactly there was no doubting who the yard's main hope was, and Bedtime Story duly started at 21/1, some three times her stablemate's price. Bedtime Story didn't run badly, finishing sixth of 13 to be beaten just four lengths, despite a dozy start to the race. Or to quote the Racing Post analysis of the race verbatim: "Started slowly, towards rear, ridden 2 1/2f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish." Given that almost every three-year-old in O'Brien's yard has improved multiple lengths for their first run of the season, that performance can be marked up considerably. But what impressed The AntePoster most of all is that this typically headstrong filly finally consented to settle rather than racing keenly, a trait that had cast a shadow over the latter stages of her juvenile campaign.

Like so many of the early season Classics, it will take time to evaluate with any degree of confidence what the form of the French 1000 Guineas is worth, not least as none of the fillies who finished ahead of Bedtime Story have returned to the racetrack. But it should be noted that Godspeed, who finished a quarter a length behind O'Brien's filly in eighth place, would run out an easy winner of the G2 Prix Sandringham at Chantilly on her next start.

In summary, we expect Bedtime Story to take a huge step forward on Sunday. Whether or not that step forward will suffice to win the Prix Diane is another matter, but 7/1 is well beyond the level we could consider to be reasonable value for this highly talented daughter of Frankel. She will surely start shorter.

Recommendation: Back Bedtime Story at 7/1 with William Hill, Ladbrokes or Coral to win the Prix Diane at Chantilly on Sunday 15 June. Win only.