Winner of the Gr.1 Prix Marcel Boussac and crowned best French two year-old of 2022, Blue Rose Cen secured her first target of the year, winning the Gr.3 Prix de la Grotte with ease, and will unsurprisingly be sent off favourite for Sunday’s Poule d’Essai des Pouliches. Any extra give in the already yielding ParisLongchamp ground will only work to her advantage.

Lindy and Kelina are arguably the principal domestic threats to Christopher Head’s filly, but there will also be interest in Sauterne, Showay and Ritournelle. Quickstep, from the André Fabre stable, and Fancy Me, trained by Philippe Sogorb at Mont de Marsan, will also be under scrutiny.

Foreign raiders include Karl Burke’s Lowther Stakes winner, Swingalong, and the Aidan O’Brien-trained Never Ending Story.

Trainer of American Flag, Yann Barberot will be keeping an eye on the weather after recent downpours in Paris. Impressive winner of the Omnium II at Saint-Cloud on heavy ground, a month before his Gr.3 Prix de Fontainebleau parade, the Deauville handler’s colt will logically attract most of the support for the colts’ edition. 

Good Guess, Breizh Sky and Kubrick, respectively first, second and fourth in the Prix Djebel, will all be present. Valimi, carrying the Aga Khan colours, has satisfied his trainer, Jean-Claude Rouget, following his most recent success and to date remains the only horse to have beaten American Flag. Fontainebleau runner-up, Marhaba Ya Sanafi, will be another interesting element to watch.

Among the non-domestic contingent, Greenham Stakes winner, Isaac Shelby is the highest-rated colt and is expected to figure prominently. Simon and Ed Crisford will saddle Knight, even though something of a disappointment on his return to racing last month. Ballydoyle will be represented by Hans Andersen, following the surprise forfeit of Victoria Road.