Final French Group 1 on the flat, the Prix Royal-Oak, or French St. Leger, will be run this Sunday at its traditional home of Longchamp where the going is expected to be testing. This last of the five classics covers 3100m, and one of these 11 runners will return home a maiden Gr.1 winner.

In with a realistic chance of scoring at the highest level must be Stéphane Wattel’s 6 year-old, The Good Man. Having transitioned from big handicaps to Group-racing in 2021, he has since established himself as one of the best stayers in the country, and on Bastille Day produced his career-best performance to land the Gr.2 Maurice de Nieuil. Proven on sticky ground, he is undeniably the leading light of the home team.

Haya Zark’s Arc performance is best left in the past, but he is a colt that appreciates give in the ground and, although untried beyond 2500m, should nevertheless get the trip. According to Patrice Cottier, veteran Skazino is in flying form and will be competitive, as should the surprising Diva Donna who went through the sales ring, unsold, just this week. Bubble Gift, similarly performant on heavy ground, Al Nayyir, and Double Major, the only 3 year-old in the field, are other domestic chances.

The cross-Channel contingent is not to be sniffed at. Third in last year’s Prix du Cadran, race-hardened Tashkhan has a lot going for him here. Although devoid of group references on the flat, Novel Legend, who really enjoys racing on testing surfaces, and Metier, whose recents attempts over the obstacles have been far from satisfying, are both tough individuals and not to be overlooked.