Global Weekly Preview: Kitesurf ready to step up in 'open' Diane

France's biggest race day of the summer takes place at Chantilly on Sunday.

Don't be fooled into thinking that the Derby or Grand Prix top the bill. Non. To the Parisian racefan, the G1 Prix de Diane Longines, or French Oaks as it is known to many, is No 1.

All the trappings of the Derby at Epsom, with a little of Royal Ascot's fashion chic thrown in, the Prix de Diane is one of Europe's special racing experiences.

Befitting such an occasion, a competitive field of 16 fillies has been declared, with Godolphin trainer Andre Fabre very upbeat about the chances of lightly-raced Kitesurf.

The Dubawi filly has won two of her four starts, the most recent being the G3 Prix Royaumont, over 2,400m, which means she faces a 300m reduction in distance this time.

Fabre said: "She came out of the Royaumont in much better form than expected.

"She showed that day that she handles Good ground and the track at Chantilly. It's a wide open race and she deserves to take her chance," he added.

Kitesurf's opposition is headed by the unbeaten Shutter Speed, who landed the G3 Musidora Stakes at York, and Rhododendron, runner-up in both the G1 One Thousand Guineas at Newmarket and the G1 Oaks at Epsom.

Terrakova, a daughter of Galileo and Goldikova, is another classy filly in the line-up.

Whatever the result, history will be made as Maryline Eon becomes the first female jockey to ride in the G1 Prix de Diane. She is booked to partner Yellow Storm, who won a minor 2,300m race in the provinces at her previous outing.

For many overseas visitors, this Chantilly fixture is the perfect way to approach five days of Royal Ascot, the pinnacle of the European racing season.