Diane tilt seen as the ‘natural progression’ for Inis Mor David Menuisier will send his Height Of Fashion Stakes winner Inis Mor to the Prix de Diane at Chantilly on Sunday insisting you should never run scared of one horse. The presence of Aidan O’Brien’s impressive Poule d’Essai Des Pouliches winner Diamond Necklace sets the bar high for all 17 potential contenders, including a home contingent bidding to keep the prize for a fourth year on the spin. But Menuisier believes his improving filly has earned her chance to tilt at the biggest prizes after her Listed win last time out and thinks the extended 10-furlong trip could be just the ticket. Pulborough Handler Undaunted By Star Opposition “Would we be a bit wary of Diamond Necklace? Yes, but not really as we don’t tend to look at the opposition,” said the Pulborough trainer, who sent out Tamfana for the same Quantum Leap owners to finish a close third to Sparkling Plenty in the 2024 renewal. “Our filly is well and I think the race conditions really suit her, so we will give it a go.” Menuisier’s Galiway filly stepped up from a 12th in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket to land the Goodwood contest by a head from Earth Shot, with subsequent Oaks seventh On Message back in third. Black Type Security Prompts Natural Classic Progression Despite the narrow winning margin, the trainer believes his runner did not have a particularly hard race and with black type in the bag says they have nothing to lose. “She had an easy race in fairness and took the race really well and since Goodwood she has been in good order. We just feel that it is a natural progression,” he said. “Since she has the big black type now it seems natural to go back up in class and there is only one Classic every year for the fillies (at this trip), so I think it is worth trying.” Classic winner Diamond Necklace heads a quintet of entries from Ballydoyle with White Sand Beach, Moments Of Joy, Beautify and River Ara all left in against a strong home contingent. Karl Burke’s Guineas runner-up Evolutionist, Ed Walker’s Musidora second Felicitas, Charlie Johnston’s Timeforshowcasing, the William Haggas-trained Lilt and Esna for Brian Meehan make up a potentially six-strong cross Channel raiding party.
