Prix Rothschild preview

Andre Fabre is delighted with the shape of Esoterique in her attempt to regain her Prix Rothschild crown at Deauville on Sunday.

Having captured the Group One prize in 2014, the six-year-old missed last year's race in favour of a shot at the Prix Maurice de Gheest, in which she finished second.

Esoterique has this season failed to hit her best form in two starts, going under at odds-on on her return at Deauville before trailing home last in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

But Fabre said: "She is training well and looks great.

"We have put the bad race at Ascot down to the soft ground as she has shown no signs of discomfort since.

"She had a long break this winter as she has had a few health problems, but I'm delighted with her and her morning work suggests she is back.

"We are hoping for a strong pace as her best strength is her turn of foot."

Lumiere put in arguably the performance of the July Festival at Newmarket when she routed her rivals in a Listed contest in near-course-record time after a lifeless display in the 1000 Guineas.

This mile contest presents a marked step back up in class for the Mark Johnston-trained three-year-old, but connections believe she merits her place in the line-up.

Assistant trainer Charlie Johnston said: "It was fantastic to see her win at Newmarket. It was the highlight of the year so far. That said, we are under no illusions that this is a completely different kettle of fish.

" It is a tough Group One with the likes of Alice Springs and Qemah in there but she is already a Group One winner herself.

"She put her weight back on pretty much straight away and we have not really done much since Newmarket. She has just been ticking over since then and we are happy with her at home.

"Joe (Fanning) is riding her. It is special whoever rides her if she wins, but it would be really special if Joe could do it as he is part of the home team."

Amazing Maria has failed to get her head in front in four subsequent runs since winning last year's race.

But trainer David O'Meara is hopeful she can put her below-par effort in the Falmouth Stakes behind her and make a good attempt at defending her title.

He said: "She disappointed a little bit in the Falmouth Stakes after her run at Ascot. She seems to be in good order so hopefully she will run a good race, although the three-year-olds look a pretty decent bunch.

"I would have thought her Queen Anne Stakes run against the colts was nearly as good as her win there last year, so really her only disappointment has been in the Falmouth.

"She had a hard race at Ascot on soft ground and that maybe took a bit out of her."

The Jean-Claude Rouget-trained Qemah made amends for her French 1000 Guineas defeat, in which she was third as the 5-2 favourite, with a taking victory in the Coronation Stakes at the Royal meeting.

Connections of the three-year-old, who alongside stablemate Positive Vibration is one of two runners in the field for Al Shaqab Racing, are optimistic she can back that up on home soil.

Al Shaqab's racing manager Harry Herbert said of Qemah: "She ran a great race at Ascot and is all set to go for Sunday. She has been working well and is in good shape so she enters the race in great form. Hopefully it is all systems go for another big run."

Aidan O'Brien, who is seeking a first Rothschild success, will rely upon Falmouth Stakes winner Alice Springs, while the Carlos Laffon-Parias-trained Impassable bids to chalk up a first top-level success to add to her two Group Two victories.