The first highlight of the coming Deauville meeting takes place this Sunday with the Gr.1 Prix Rothschild, a mile event, restricted to fillies and mares from three and up. The programme also incorporates a trio of Gr.3s and a Listed race.

Ralph Beckett has left in his 3 year-old Remarquée, second in the Gr.1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot last month, and latterly runner-up to Nashwa in the Falmouth Stakes. The Gosdens send out Lope De Vega filly, Grande Dame, who has raced just the once this season and will have the element of freshness on her side. Rogue Millennium, winner of the Gr.2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Ascot, has turned a corner this year and will be well-supported. Jessica Harrington sends over Sounds Of Heaven, Coronation Stakes third and just one length off Beckett’s filly that day. She has raced just four times but appears to have stacks of quality and, importantly, room for further progress.

With five in the race, domestic horses are still in with a shout. Kelina, from the Carlos Laffon-Parias stable, won the Gr.2 Prix Sandringham, finishing ahead of Sauterne, who since went on to claim a good second place against the colts in the Prix Jean Prat. André Fabre saddles Life In Motion, recent sixth in the Gr.3 La Coupe, but on Friday morning the Chantilly maestro also supplemented Mqse De Sévigné, three times runner-up this season from three starts in Gr.2 and Listed-class races. French-based Tunisian trainer, Hedi Gabri, however, runs rank outsider Tairann who most recently finished last of eight in a Deauville Listed.

Despite some quality forfeits, the overseas team still has a strong hand to play, although the home side is not without its chances.