Back in France after a stint in the nordics, Etonnant is again set to do battle with Elitlopp winner, Hohneck, this time in the Gr.2 Prix de Washington over a mile at Enghien on Saturday. Trainer Richard Westerink, talks about his champion’s prospects.

How is Etonnant now after his Kymi Grand Prix victory?

He is very well; he took it a lot better than he did on his trip to Sweden for Elitloppet. He lost less weight in the Kymi Grand Prix.

There are only 9 runners in the Prix de Washington, but you will be up against Hohneck again.

I think the race will be between the two Allaire horses, Callmethebreeze and Hohneck, and us. On paper, at least, it looks like that, but we’ll see. My horse is well, I think he’s the best, but I suppose we’ll see on Saturday.

Do you feel like you’re out for revenge after being beaten by him in Sweden?

Not really, they’ve beaten us, and we’ve beaten them. It’s how the race unfolds that will be important. In terms of pure class, I’m not worried, but it’s the way the race evolves that will decide the result.

Etonnant will start on Hohneck’s inside. Does that mean you have to take more risks?

We’ll speak with Anthony [Barrier] but I don’t think he’ll go nuts in the first corner. The risk will be if he makes an error.

Do you have any idea of his future programme?

There are a lot of options. The Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère on 29 July, then there’s the Grand Prix de Wallonie at Mons on 23 September, there’s the Gr.1 Elite UET Grand Prix on 14 October. He could still return to Yonkers for the International Trot on 9 September. Nothing is set in stone.