Often regarded as an opportunity to regain some honour following the Grand Steeple de Paris and the Grande Course de Haies, the G.2 Prix des Drags and Gr.2 Prix la Barka will be run this Saturday at Auteuil, and as ‘consolation’ races, they offer a not-inconsiderable €247,000 and €185,000 respectively in prizemoney.

Absent from the Grand Steeple, Gran Diose will be very much in evidence on Saturday in the Drags, with faithful partner James Reveley back on board, a winning partnership which saw them victorious in last year's G.2 Prix Georges Courtois. Louisa Carberry’s 7 year-old will be sent out a clear favourite.

François Nicolle will saddle just the one runner, La Manigance, a G.2 winner over fences who is sure to attract considerable interest. Another under the spotlight will be Spes Militurf, faller in the big race three weeks ago but the Lageneste-Macaire team will be confident he can bounce back and extend his already impressive 75% win-rate.

The presence of Jesse Harrington’s Ashdale Bob, and Paul Nicholls’ Red Risk, is sure to add a certain spice to the Prix La Barka. 

On the domestic front, the ultra-consistent Ine Anjou made a fine return three weeks ago and will be well-supported. 

Nicolle sends out three, Roberta Has who came a cropper in the Grande Course de Haies, and G.3-winning La Chenevière who latterly won a Compiègne Listed by seven lengths. Gibralfaro is more a secondary choice.

Lucky One could manage only sixth in the Grande Course de Haies, but this will be a less arduous task and trainer Sophie Leech will be hopeful of some recompense. Gentleman D’Athon and Héros D’Ainay complete the field.