Second qualifier for the 2024 Prix d’Amérique, Sunday’s 2850m Prix du Bourbonnais has drawn, like the Prix de Bretagne, a maximum field of 18.

The last two winners are in, notably Etonnant [2021], and Hooker Berry [2022] who then went on to land the big prize. Elitlopp winner, Hohneck makes his first French appearance since winning the Gr.1 UET Elite Circuit Finale at Solvalla in mid-October. After working at Vincennes earlier in the week, partner Gabriele Gelormini declared himself more than satisfied. Dual-Cornulier winner, Flamme Du Goutier has nothing to prove under harness but she races shod at the weekend and is unlikely to trouble the opposition.

Fourth in the Bretagne on her first appearance since June, Ampia Mede SM looks a considerably more serious contender this time around, while 6th-placed San Moteur put in quite the finish first time at Vincennes. Diable Vauvert repeated his 2022 10th place, but it is worth remembering that he earned his berth when 2nd in the Prix de Belgique.

Respectively first and 3rd in the Bretagne, Hussard De Landret and Hokkaido Jiel already have their places booked and Benoît Robin hands over the reins of the winner to Yoann Lebourgeois. Recent Gr.3 victor Eric The Eel, the excellent Ganay De Banville, and the latterly unlucky dual-Gr.1-winning Horsy Dream, are all decent prospects, and all three still need to gain qualification.

Izoard Vedaquais was most unfortunate in the Bretagne just weeks after having stormed up at the hands of Benjamin Rochard [beating Hussard De Landret], but with more luck in running, can start to show why he is so well-regarded at home.

Last horse to get in was Galileo Bello and, while competent in his own category, he is unlikely to be influencing the outcome.