Tuesday 9 April was a key date on the 2024 classic agenda with Deauville staging the Prix Djebel and Imprudence, a pair of Guineas trials for colts and fillies respectively, and run over a straight 1400m. While they represent good preps for the Poules d’Essai, they similarly, and perhaps more significantly, serve as an important springboard to the Newmarket equivalents.

Impressive winner of a 1200m Listed at Newmarket to conclude 2023, there has been no shortage of talk surrounding Charlie Appleby’s Romantic Style and she duly delivered for owners, Godolphin, on her first start back. Said the trainer of her plans, “We reckon a mile will be the most she’ll get, and I doubt she’d get it at Newmarket. So, by coming here, we have time enough until the French Guineas.” William Buick declared himself more than content with his filly, Appleby adding that she could handle heavy ground but would nonetheless be more effective on better. 

Another standout was Christopher Head’s Ramatuelle who put in a sterling finish, coming second, and rather than staying at home, she will instead be aimed at the 1,000 Guineas. “She was a bit spirited and, on this ground, it’s hard to finish. But that’s what she did. It’s positive.”, remarked her trainer.

The Djebel was no less dramatic, but in a different way. Winner of three on the Côte d’Azur during the Cagnes-sur-Mer winter meeting, Lazzat confirmed his potential with a 2.5 lengths success over the Aga Khan’s promising Keran. True to form, he set the tempo and was untouchable at the wire, leading trainer Jérôme Reynier to comment, “To be frank, I didn’t learn much today!” Being a gelding, the classics are out but options include the Prix Paul de Moussac at Longchamp or the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.