First Group 1 on the European calendar, the Prix Ganay, run this Sunday at ParisLongchamp, has attracted a field of considerable distinction, arguably one of the best in the past twenty years. Of the eight runners, seven are Group winners, four of them at the highest level.

For some, it’s the first run of the new season, as for Vadeni whose principal objective is October’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. A convincing account on Sunday would see the Aga Khan’s colt directed towards Royal Ascot.

Last year’s Champion Stakes winner, Bay Bridge progressed particularly well in 2022 and represents one of the more interesting profiles in the line-up. Sir Michael Stoute never sends his horses abroad if they are not absolutely ready, and this will of course be the case at the weekend.

Also in the spotlight will be the runner-up in last year’s Gr.1 Grand Prix de Paris, Simca Mille, who ended his 2022 season in the Japan Cup, and most recently winning the Gr.2 Prix d’Harcourt in very good order.

Place Du Carrousel, winner of the Gr.1 Prix de l’Opéra during Arc weekend, and Junko, represent the André Fabre stable in a race the Chantilly handler has won three times in the last six editions.

Iresine gave an excellent account on his return in the Harcourt and is sure to be even better-honed on this occasion, however a question mark remains as the Gauvin stable is in an unusual poor run of form at the moment. Real World and Sabio Cen complete the high-quality field, the latter taking a major step up in grade, but with the confident back-up of his connections.