Top-flight racing returns to the capital on Sunday, following the Normandy sojourn, and the Prix du Moulin takes centre-stage. A month after Facteur Cheval’s second place to Paddington in the Sussex Stakes, connections are hopeful he can break his Group 1 duck. Trainer, Jérôme Reynier, talks to us about his chances.

How was Facteur Cheval after his Goodwood run?

Everything is fine, but I was just as worried about after the race; there was the trip, and a hard race on awful ground, but it turned out not to be the complicated affair I had feared.

How is he now, considering he didn’t debut until he was 3?

He has turned a corner, both physically and mentally. I liked the way he comported himself at Goodwood; it was his first time abroad, but he took it well. I knew he would come on at 4, and I think the more he runs, the more he will toughen up.

What do you expect of him in the Moulin?

Sunday’s track will be faster, but he dealt with that well in the Prix d’Ispahan [1850m]. With Big Rock in the field, we are assured a good pace, which is just what we need.

Do you think a mile is his best distance?

I think, over time, he will get 2000m, provided there is a good pace, but 1600m is a good compromise, something he has demonstrated more than once this year.

What is his end-of-season objective?

We’re considering a straight mile, like the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on 21 October. In terms of timing, the Moulin is perfect - a month after Goodwood and 1.5 before Ascot, where we might meet Paddington again.