Diana in the Prix Balbo over three kilometres

Saint-Cloud, Monday 18 April: An exciting nine-race event will be staged at Saint-Cloud today. One of the better races is the Prix Balbo (6th race/17.00 hrs/28,000 Euro/3100 m) leading over the long distance, in which Andre Fabre`s Botanik has already been determined as a non-runner.

In the five-strong field, Andreas Suborics will saddle the only mare with Diana (Mickaelle Michel). The four-year-old Amaron daughter, who runs for the Alster Racing II stable, won here last June and at her last start five months ago in Angers she finished in a not quite expected place of honour in the `Classe 2` category. Although Diana has a very good form record, the four remaining contenders are rated higher by the trade press. Mister Nino (Anthony Crastus) only recently won a suitable task safely on today`s course. Whispering Ocean (Maxime Guyon) continued his series of top placings in Fontainebleau. Behind him, Blue Swan (Gregory Benoist) came away empty-handed. The latter finished a surprising third in the Prix Denisy (list race) here. Max la Fripouille (Marc Nobili) received good reviews for his running in the Prix du Cadran (Group 1) as seventh of 13.