Longchamp puts on a very interesting card this Sunday, with a number of promising youngsters on display, but focus will be on the Gr.2 Prix du Conseil de Paris, for 3yo and up, and run over 2200m.

Habitually the domain of the colts, fillies having won just three of the last ten editions, two of the last three winners, Addeybb and Baron Samedi, proved to be great travellers after winning the Conseil. On Sunday, it is the turn of Iresine to use the race as both a springboard, and a form-indicator, ahead of his Japan Cup bid on 26 November in Tokyo.

Unraced since winning the Prix Ganay in April, he made a fine comeback in the Prix Foy, on ground that was too fast for him, and his return will be regarded with much interest. Despite the amount of black-type he has amassed, Jean-Pierre Gauvin’s gelding has never raced abroad and, for a delicate horse that likes his routines, this will be no easy task. Either way, he will need to win, and win well, in order to arrive in Japan with a realistic chance.

Grand Prix de Deauville winner, Jack Darcy, will be no pushover but must improve on his recent Prix Dollar second. Zarakem stays with Jérôme Reynier after being sold at the Arc Sale for €500,000 and is arguably better than the other 3 year-old in the field, the unbeaten Marquisat. 

Others in with a shout include Willie Haggas’ Hamish who has won three Gr.3s on the trot, although even this may not be enough to trouble the favourite, and Junko who ran away with a Deauville Gr.3 during the summer. True Testament is worth a second look but Monty, Max Vega, and Good Fortune will have limited chances.