Champions’ Day on Sunday at Vincennes features a host of top flight races, including the Etrier Finals, a series of valuable races putting a spotlight on the monté discipline. Each carrying Group 1 status, the best of the 3 year-old generation will run in the Prix d’Essai, four year-olds in the Prix du Président de la République, with the Prix de Normandie reserved for five year-olds.

Twice a winner over 2700m at Vincennes within the space of two weeks, Ivrig Viking steps up to the 3000m of the Normandie, a distance over which he has never been tested, nor for that matter has he won beyond 2700m. Didier Brohier, both breeder and trainer, is confident about his prospects. “He is on the way up, and we expect him to be even better next year. I hope to see him win, even though he won’t be transformed by racing barefoot.”

To produce a homebred winner of the Normandie would be enormously gratifying for Brohier. “It would be an honour for me to have my name next to my father’s.” A superb jockey, François Brohier won this event in 1961 with Masina. Notables taking on Ivrig Viking include Ideále Du Chêne, Ies We Kan and Ina Du Rib.

No obvious winner stands out in the 4 year-old edition, and while Jasper Des Charmes will be sent out clear favourite, he still has to take on quality individuals such as Jean Balthazar, Jaguar Du Goutier, and Joyeuse.

In stark contrast, however, Kyt Kat is the star of the 3 year-old show. Winner of three consecutive Group 2 races, he now has the opportunity to win at the highest level, but trainer Thomas Levesque will be concerned by Krafen and Katchina De Simm, both of which debut in the monté discipline.