With Auteuil and Longchamp in action this weekend, Vincennes similarly gets in on the party with the 2700m Prix Kerjacques on Saturday. It may carry only Gr.2 status but the Kerjacques’ prestige is easily illustrated by the calibre of its last six winners: Etonnant, Davidson du Pont, Cleangame, Traders, Aubrion du Gers, and Timoko.

Not a given for any of the 15 runners, 2023 Prix d’Amérique winner, Hooker Berry, will nevertheless be very much in focus and is a legitimate successor-in-waiting to the recently-retired Etonnant. Second millionaire in the race, Elie de Beaufour finished a lacklustre 8th in last year’s running but has taken a different route over the winter and will be reined by Eric Raffin this time around.

Hussard du Landret was a disappointing 9th twelve months ago but most recently made short work of the Gr.1 Prix de Paris and will not be inconvenienced by the shorter trip, although Yoann Lebourgeois will be mindful to get him off on the right foot. Contemporary, Hokkaido Jiel [3rd in 2023] was remarkable in the final stages of the Gr.1 Prix de France, following on from his Prix d’Amérique second. Less effective in the Prix de Paris, he is back over 2700m and David Thomain will be eager to re-don the famous Jean Luck colours.

Runner-up in the Prix de Paris before producing an excellent Critérium de Vitesse performance, Inmarosa needs no introduction at this level, and has proven form against older horses. Usain Töll was an impressive runner-up 12 months ago, prepped 3rd in the Gr.3 Prix du Bois de Vincennes, as he did in 2023, and must not be underestimated. Gamay de l’Iton came in a place behind him a fortnight ago and is an interesting outside chance.