Enghien’s annual highlight, the Gr.1 Prix de l’Atlantique, has brought together a field of fourteen and presently at the top of his game, Etonnant takes centre-stage.

In the absence of Vivid Wise As, to whom he finished runner-up in the last two editions of the race, Etonnant will be sent off the logical favourite on this occasion. Richard Westerink’s nine year-old returns to Paris off the back of two straight successes, one at Caen last month followed by the prestigious Gr.2 Prix Kerjacques at Vincennes a fortnight ago. After a period on the sidelines caused by a bout of Lyme’s disease, the son of legendary Timoko is now back at his best and on the cusp of a 23rd career victory. Reined by partner Anthony Barrier, the pair must nevertheless cope with a wide draw.

Among his rivals are four individual Group 1 winners. Hohneck makes his return after a two-months’ spell and will be driven for the first time by Gabriele Gelormini. The experienced Delia Du Pommereux will endeavour to finish on the podium for a third year in a row. Particularly impressive over the winter with a brace of victories at the highest level, Horsy Dream has nonetheless been handed the 10-spot. A second-line start on the inside is far from ideal; he also races shod, but did win both the Prix de Belgique and the Prix de Séléction with shoes on. The Italian Callmethebreeze will have Alexandre Abrivard at the helm this time and expectations are high that he can get straight back in the game.

Respectively runner-up, third and fifth in the Critérium de Vitesse at Cagnes-sur-Mer, Emeraude De Bais, Gently De Muze and Go On Boy, have the potential to do well over the 2150m of the Prix de l’Atlantique.