Bounced back to form with a reassuring 3rd over 2500m at Reims on 7 December. Confirmation needed

Experienced hard-knocker with sound references/form credentials, albeit without success (he's a 33-start maiden). Finished 3rd (unshod) at Bordeaux on 24 November

Disqualified once and soundly beaten 3 times in 4 appearances this year, including her latest at Graignes on 11 November. Others preferred

Finished 5th in back-to-back October appearances and didn't go unnoticed after his early disqualification at Cherbourg on 1 November. Will be competitive if avoiding disqualification

Experienced hard-knocker with sound references/form credentials but currently out of sorts - finished 7th over 2450m at Caen on 29 May and hasn't been seen since. Watch for now

Honest hard-knocker with the form and experience to acquit himself competitively. Shouldn't be hastily condemned for his recent failure (disqualification) at Argentan on 15 December

Confirmed the improvement of his course-and-distance 4th earlier this month by finishing 2nd over 2825m at Cordemais on 15 December. On the shortlist

Unreliable but is confirmed under these conditions/in this configuration with the form/experience to play a leading role, if building on his last-start 5th over 2700m at Graignes on 11 November. Dark horse

Out of sorts, unplaced in 3 consecutive appearances - the latest (9th) over 2450m at Caen on 9 November. Not incapable of resurfacing in a race of this nature, especially with David Thomain at the helm - beware!

Continues to blow hot and cold but boasts sound references/form credentials, including a last-start 3rd in a course-and-distance event on 7 December. Winning chance with Yoann Lebourgeois at the helm

Inconsistent (at a higher level) but undeniably capable of resurfacing in a race like this, despite finishing 10th at Vincennes over 2175m on 12 December. Keep safe

Seldom far off the mark on a going day but is relatively exposed (a 25-start maiden) so needs to improve to make his presence felt. For another day

Runner-up in back-to-back unshod appearances before his last-start 12th (shod) in a course-and-distance event on 19 December. Better expected with all 4 shoes removed

Bounced back to form with a reassuring 3rd in a 2700m Vincennes claimer on 13 December. Confirmation needed

Consistent 22-start maiden with sound references/form credentials (albeit without a victory), including a last-start 5th over 2400m at Amiens on 9 December. Dark horse

Progressive sort, espeically in this (barefoot) configuration - wasn't winning out of turn when opening his account at Graignes over 2700m on 8 December. Seems capable of following up with another victory