Billesdon Brook after her Newmarket heroics© Photo Healy Racing
Richard Hannon admits he would be marginally in favour of heading to the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot with Billesdon Brook rather than the Prix de Diane.
The daughter of Champs Elysees sprang a 66-1 shock when beating Laurens in the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier this month, and Hannon had mentioned the possibility of supplementing for the Irish version on Sunday.
However, that idea was abandoned, with either the Coronation over a mile or the 10-furlong French Oaks at Chantilly the possible options.
Hannon said: “The only decision that was made was not to go for the Irish Guineas. The Coronation and the Prix de Diane — it is between the two of them.
“Do I think she will get a mile and a quarter? It is in her pedigree, she is very easy and there is a chance she might get it. It is a toss up between the two races and we will sit down with the owners and decide.
“She is in great form and that is the important thing. Personally my preference is the Coronation, but I’d be very happy to have a runner with a good chance in the Diane.”
Laurens, meanwhile, is set to be in action at the weekend and could step up to 10 furlongs for the first time in the Prix Saint-Alary at ParisLongchamp.
The Siyouni filly is entered in the Tattersalls-sponsored Irish Guineas, but Karl Burke has also provisionally declared her for the French contest over a mile and a quarter, which has drawn a total of just five runners.
He said: “France is not totally confirmed yet — we can still take her out on Friday and we will have to have that discussion.
“Looking at the race though and seeing how it has broken up, we will have to think about it.”
