It’s December again which means Hong Kong stages its unmissable International meeting, and Sunday’s Sha Tin action features no fewer than four Gr.1s.

French runners are regulars at the meeting and, while there are none in the Sprint, they will nevertheless be represented in the other three events. A dozen will go to post for the Cup, richest event of the day, among which is Patrice Cottier’s Horizon Doré. After winning his maiden, followed by a Marseille Listed a month on, the Haras de la Gousserie acquired a 50% stake. Since June, he has won a Listed, a Gr.3 and two Gr.2s, including the Prix Dollars on Arc Weekend. Sent out favourite for the Champion Stakes three weeks later, he could only manage third place on ground which was much too soft for him. Youngest horse in the field, he will be well-supported on Sunday.

In the Mile, it is Godolphin’s André Fabre-trained Tribalist that flies the flag for France. After a long 2022 season, during which he ran third in the Poule d’Essai, he has raced just five times this year, winning four and running third in the other. Most impressive was his Gr.2 Prix du Muguet victory over the ultra-consistent Facteur Cheval. He faces a stiffer test at the weekend and, although expected to acquit himself well, he will still be considered something of an outsider.

Junko, also trained by Fabre, lines up in the 2400m Vase, this time in the Wertheimer colours. Campaigned principally around 2000m until May, he has taken his game to another level since being run over 2400m. Third to Westover in the coveted Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, he then opened his Gr.1 account with Grosser Allianz Preis von Bayern success and is unlikely to be far from the action this weekend.