Burke eyes Chantilly next for Laurens

Karl Burke is planning to take Laurens to the Prix de Diane at Chantilly next after a strong display in Sunday’s Qipco 1000 Guineas.

The three-year-old looked set to claim the first fillies’ Classic of the season at Newmarket on her first appearance of the campaign since winning last October’s Fillies’ Mile.

But, despite leading at the halfway stage, Billesdon Brook came through to claim the victory with Laurens settling for second spot.

There was talk of a trip to the Curragh for the Irish 1,000 Guineas on May 27, but trainer Burke appears keen to take her to the French Oaks on June 17.

“She came back absolutely fine, there are no issues at all and everything is A1,” he said.

“I would think we’re going to wait for the French Oaks. She is still in the Irish Guineas, but after watching the replay of her run at Newmarket it looks like she’s crying out for the step up in trip.

“We’ll probably leave her in the Irish Guineas until the death, just in case it cuts up and the ground turns in her favour, but it’s more likely we’ll wait for the Prix de Diane.”