G1 – 1600m – Turf
| 1 | Ridari | He booked his ticket for the first French classic of the season with a battling win in the traditional domestic trial, the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau, over this 1600m last month. One of the leading locally-trained team. |
| 2 | Sahlan | A late developer, this inexperienced colt won his only start at two in November, and will strip fitter after finishing a nose second to Ridari on his three-year-old bow last month. |
| 3 | Selenien | Justified odds-on favouritism when clicking on Chantilly’s all-weather track over 1400m in March with a future Listed winner behind him. Improvement expected and required. |
| 4 | Misunderstood | From last year’s winning stable. Third to Ridari in the Prix de Fontainebleau. A G3 winner at two, he ran well when third, beaten 2L, behind Camille Pissarro on Arc weekend in October. Definite place claims. |
| 5 | Dos Mukasan | One of the likely outsiders although he won’t be lacking for stamina, winning a Class 1 race over course and distance comfortably on his 2025 debut less than a month ago. Hails from a shrewd yard. |
| 6 | Aomori City | An impressive winner of the G2 HKJC World Pool Vintage Stakes last year, he has 0.8L to find on Henri Matisse when they met at the Breeders’ Cup. He will have benefitted from his sole start this term when third to subsequent English 2000 Guineas runner-up Field Of Gold last month. |
| 7 | Reach The Sky | Unraced at two, he won on his career debut on the all weather before two beaten outings on turf, including sixth in a G3 over 1800m two starts back. Others preferred. |
| 8 | Detain | Well held by Hotazhell in the G1 Futurity Trohpy Stakes late last season this British colt made a pleasing start to his three-year-old career, justifying favouritism to beat Luther 1L over 1600m on the all-weather early last month. |
| 9 | Jonquil | Stable switch over the winter. He will have his supporters after landing the G3 Greenham Stakes over 1400m. The son of a French Derby winner is bound to come on for that run. Trainer in hot form. |
| 10 | Heybetli | One of the more experienced runners he looks to have a tough task after failing to trouble some of the better fancied rivals in his last few outings. |
| 11 | Zarraf | Hard to make out a strong argument for this colt to be up there at the business end of the race. A winner on his first ever run over 2000m in March, he was found wanting when dropped back to 1600m last month. |
| 12 | Henri Matisse | Aidan O’Brien’s challenger lines up with strong claims. He threaded his way through the field in courageous fashion to land the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar in November, and won his prep race for this classic test over 1427m six weeks ago. |
| 13 | Luther | This son of the mighty Frankel was a double winner last season, reappearing this year after a 187 day break to finish a close up second in a conditions race over 1600m on the all-weather at Chelmsford. |
| 14 | Tipinso | His stable last won the French 2000 Guineas back in 2018. Three wins from four runs at two he ran third on his seasonal comeback before finishing second in a listed race over 1600m last month. |
| 15 | Houquetot | Another using this to start his three-year-old campaign. Smart form last term, including a G3 win over 1400m at the track in September. Closed his year when seventh, beaten 4L, by Camille Pissarro in the Lagardere. |
| 16 | Hotazhell | A top Irish raider, he prevailed in a tight battle over the closing 200m to land the G1 Futurity Trophy Stakes in his last run as a two-year-old over 1600m at Doncaster. Ultra tough and with no stamina doubts Hotazhell is making his seasonal debut and merits respect. |
| 17 | Serengeti | One win from three in 2024, and soundly beaten on only run this year in handicap company. Up against it at this level. |
| 18 | Camille Pissarro | Aidan O’Brien’s leading contender had his stablemate Henri Matisse back in fifth, beaten 2.8L, in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. Needed the run when second in his warm up at the Curragh in March. Best with ease in the ground. |
