Speedsters take to Enghien this Saturday for the coveted Prix de l’Atlantique, a 2150m mobile start which has over the years enticed the crème de la crème of European trotters. A Group 1 worth €200,000 is an attractive proposition and, in the absence of two-times winner Vivid Wise As, who faulted in Turin earlier this month, and 2023 champion Etonnant who is now collecting his pension, the race has a more open, but no less-competitive, flavour this year.

Go On Boy endured significant misfortune over the winter but nevertheless more than held his own. Not quite as dramatic as Romain Derieux’s barefoot gamble for the Prix d’Amérique, he is fitted with just front pads for the first time, and considering a) the chrono of 1’08”4 he put in at Cagnes, b) he came 2nd in last year’s edition, and c) the good draw, it would be a surprise not to see him have his day in the sun.

Emeraude De Bais pipped him for 2nd in the Critérium de Vitesse on the Côte d’Azur last month, herself putting in a terrific 1’08”3, but could only manage 4th to his 2nd prior to that in the Gr.1 Prix de France, over a distance which has more relevance on Saturday.

Also in with a shout is last year’s 4th, Horsy Dream, who finished a close runner-up to Benjamin Goetz’s mare in the Gr.3 Prix du Bois de Vincennes late last month. Going against him is the draw, but Eric Raffin is no shrinking violet.

Fourth at Cagnes, Inmarosa has nothing to prove in this class. Drawn 4, Elitlopp winner, Hohneck can start to redeem himself, while Hooker Berry, Hussard Du Landret, and Ganay De Banville are unlikely to be out of the picture.