Watching all of the Racing in the French provinces can be an arduous task, but when you spot horses with potential like Mister Banker, it makes it worthwhile.

Callisto du Nord has been quietly going about his business and he has now made such a significant step forwards, that there is every chance he will develop into one of the best 4-year-olds in France.

As 4-year-olds go, he is one of the more exciting prospects running at this time of the year...

This race has a serious pedigree. The last 3 renewals have all been won by Jean-Claude Rouget with Ace Impact (2023), Arrow Eagle (2024) and Leffard (2025) who all went on to win in Group 1 company. Here's my review of the 2026 renewal.

Jean-Claude Rouget is no stranger to the Cagnes-Sur-Mer winner’s enclosure, but he won’t have had too many winners here that were as comfortable as AFANDY.

In a year’s time, he will be the best of these and whilst there are obvious risks attached in such a small field, he looks the type to cope with a tactical race and were he to win this, he would have to go on the shortlist for the Jean-Luc Lagardere.

Given how well he closed in the straight, chasing home a winner who sets a fair standard when getting his own way in front, he is a horse to note.

“Wor Faayth makes the 900-mile journey worth it for the Ellison yard”

A review of the 2-year-old debutantes races at Chantilly on Sunday, where both winners made striking impressions.

A 4/1 winner with Pen and Sword in the opening race on Friday kept the show on the road and so as we reach the end of the Vichy Summer Festival, I have a couple of final selections on Saturday mornings card.

Given the way she travels into her races, the stronger early pace that she is likely to encounter in the UK should suit and once she has acclimatised, I expect her to add further wins to her CV.

Friday is another day and as the 6 day Vichy Summer festival begins to draw to a close, there are a couple of open races on Fridays card where the morning prices make some appeal.

"there’s no reason to think that she won’t be able to add further success in Group company to her CV before the end of the year".

At 11/1 in a weak maiden, he appeals as an each-way bet for a yard who had a big handicap winner here yesterday

Mont de Soleil is a very capable performer at this level and the fact that he has now won over 2,000m does open some further options to him. However, we know an awful lot about the horses that he has beaten and neither of them can be considered to be improving types.

On this evidence, he will be hard to beat wherever he goes next time.

"She showed more than enough in front to suggest that she will be capable of holding her own when she returns to pattern company"

"He should be a contender for the better juvenile races over a mile and beyond in the autumn."

"Graffard again, Allez Allez". It's been a brilliant season so far for the Aga Khan stud and their principle trainer Francis-Henri Graffard.

The phrase “he deserved one” is not one of my favourite points in racing as it would usually imply that a horse has found ways not to win, but in hindsight, it applies perfectly to Calandagan.