While young titans of the flat prepare for the first classics of the season in Paris, a host of trotting giants prepares to clash in Saturday’s valuable Gr.2 Prix des Ducs de Normandie at Caen, an occasion perhaps to see history being made.

Winner of the last two editions, the Richard Westerink-trained Etonnant bids for a third victory, a feat no other horse has achieved since the race’s inception in 1974. Following a different pattern to previous years, the 9 year-old, who failed to win anything over the winter, successfully made his re-entry at the venue in question, then clinched the Gr.2 Prix Kerjacques at Vincennes, before trotting out an imperial winner of the Gr.1 Prix de l’Atlantique.

Valiant third place at Enghien, Philippe Allaire’s Hohneck is unlikely to turn the tables but nevertheless looks a serious candidate. Fourth that day, Horsy Dream will be reined by his handler Pierre Belloche who has Elitloppet as the next objective for his 6 year-old. 

Surprisingly flat in the Kerjacques, Jean-Michel Bazire ran Elie De Beaufour at Saint-Brieuc ahead of this weekend’s event and the trainer himself will be in the sulky this time. Hokkaido Jiel, however, did run well at Vincennes and, winner of his only start at the Normandy track, should logically be more suited to the shorter 2450m trip. 

Fifth in the 2021 running before coming fourth twelve months ago, Elvis Du Vallon put in a fine finish at Enghien three weeks ago and, noted for his aptitude for racing right-handed, he will be very much in focus this weekend. Happy Valley appears to be back at her best and is similarly assured to be the subject of much interest.