Ismaili.NET - Heritage F.I.E.L.D.

The Alain de Royer Dupre-trained Valia lit up an otherwise humdrum card at Longchamp this afternoon with a commanding victory in the Listed Prix de Thiberville for three-year-old fillies and could develop into a legitimate contender for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

De Royer Dupre and owner the Aga Khan presciently entered the daughter of Sea The Stars and 2014 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches runner-up Veda in Europe's most prestigious race last month, despite her being unraced.
Valia made a winning debut at Clairefontaine at the end of June, scoring by two and a half lengths, and replicated the winning margin over the same 12-furlong trip as she stepped up in class at Longchamp.

Majestic Noor, who was sent off favourite for John Gosden and Frankie Dettori, seized an early advantage, with David Menuisier's Wonderful Tonight her nearest pursuer.

alia only had one rival behind her for much of the way in the eight-runner contest, with rider Gerald Mosse seemingly content to bide his time after making a slightly sluggish start.
A third English raider arrived on the scene as the field turned for home in the form of Roger Varian's Oaks fourth Queen Daenerys, but Valia was catching the eye as she travelled well on the outside of the field.
Having drawn level with her rivals with just over a furlong to race, she bounded clear in taking style as they raced for the line.

The winner was backed in to an industry SP of 5-1 and was a well-supported 18-5 chance on the PMU.
"I think this is a Group One filly," Mosse told Equidia afterwards.
Her trainer, who has tasted Arc success in the past with Dalakhani and Zarkava in the same colours, is already eyeing up a traditional prep for the first Sunday in October in the Prix Vermeille, which is run over course and distance three weeks earlier.

"It's unbelievable," a delighted De Royer Dupre said.

"She lost (a bit of ground) for a moment. But then she came through with a huge amount of energy. She's one of those horses that have excellent acceleration and can prolong her acceleration."