It’s all set. 18 in, and each horse has earned its place. With prestige, glory, pride, prizemoney and breeding-rights on the line, the Prix d’Amérique often surprises but never disappoints. Sunday’s edition, at 16,20 CET in Paris-Vincennes, will be no different.

Sanctioned last year, the steamrolling Idao De Tillard is without doubt the pick of the field, coming into the big event with six straight victories to his name, most notably the Gr.1’s Critérium des 5 Ans and Prix Ténor de Baune. Due to finish his public preparation in the Prix de Belgique, Thierry Duvaldestin’s star developed a cough and was temporarily benched. Back on track though and, according to his handler, up to the task, Idao De Tillard is the undisputed favourite this weekend.

He is unlikely to have it all his own way however, given the presence once more of Ampia Mede Sm. Fabrice Souloy’s dual Gr.1-winning mare put in a staggering performance in the final stages to finish 2nd twelve months ago, bringing Franck Nivard agonisingly close to a 6th Prix d’Amérique victory. Excellent in her preparation, she most recently trotted 3rd in the Prix de Bourgogne and has legitimate claims on the trophy, as does 2023 winner, Hooker Berry. A year on and Jean-Michel Bazire vacates the sulky in favour of son Nicolas. The incumbent is barefoot this time and in with a realistic shout of retaining his crown.

Each one a winner of a qualifying race, Gu D’Héripré, Hussard Du Landret, Izoard Védaquais and Go On Boy are here on their merits and deserve to be taken seriously. The last-named races barefoot for the very first time, which is quite the audacious move from trainer Romain Derieux.

Runner-up to Idao De Tillard in the Critérium des 5 Ans, and to Izoard Védaquais in the Prix de Belgique, Inmarosa possesses a snappy turn of foot and, with a trouble-free run, must be considered an outsider of note, as should the youngest horse in the field, Joviality. Stubborn second to Jushua Tree in the Gr.2 Prix de Croix a fortnight ago, this Swedish Derby-winning mare, who was imported from the US at three, will be reined for the first time by multiple Swedish champion driver, Björn Goop. Another interesting element is Hokkaido Jiel who, although having disappointed somewhat after his Prix de Bretagne third, he returns to racing barefoot and, considering his speed, could play the role of spoiler should the cards fall in his favour.

It’s a first Prix d’Amérique for Benjamin Rochard and Léo Abrivard who will be respectively associated with Izoard Védaquais, and the ‘Cinderella’ of the race, Inmarosa. Sixth in 2021 and seventh the following year, Bertrand Le Beller has twice been represented as trainer but, on Sunday, he takes his maiden Amérique voyage in the sulky. Sabine Kagebrant (Joviality) et Benjamin Goetz (Emeraude De Bais) make their respective debuts as trainers, while Romain Derieux wears both caps with Go On Boy.