The Prix Stanley has become a "stallion" race in recent years. This year's winner is a gelding, so that trend won't be added to, but he's a very good 3-year-old hurdler all the same.

Mambonumberfive, St Donat's, Gaelic Warrior and Sans Bruit have all run in the Prix Rocking Chair in the last 5 seasons. Did we see a horse of that ability in this year's renewal? Well quite possibly.

After such an impressive debut, his connections must be thinking about the Graded races in the autumn, if British and Irish suitors don't tempt them to sell.

This was a comprehensive victory and is on a par with the level of form achieved by the recent winners of this race.

The Prix Wild Monarch races at Auteuil continue to be some of the most important 3-year-old hurdle races in the French calendar.

Both of them showed plenty of promise in difficult conditions and are worth adding to the tracker.

I can't wait to see what he will do with the benefit of more time in the Henderson yard

She looks to be one of the more exciting AQPS debutantes that we have seen so far in 2025.

There are a couple of key names to note from the hurdle races at Angers on Sunday

I'll begin 2025 with a look at Anzadam and my thoughts on his Champion Hurdle chances.

He needs to be supplemented for the race, but there is certainly a case to be made that he will deliver a return on that investment.

As the weather and more importantly the ground begin to turn, we are likely to see some of the better French recruits on the track.

As the winter nights get longer, the season at Auteuil is coming to a close, so it's time for a little reflection.

I liked the way he stuck to the task and I think the switch to hurdles and ultimately a longer trip, is going to bring out the best in him.

Whilst the shine may have been taken off Il Est Francais this weekend, French Racing would appear to have a ready made replacement in Kaadam

The Mullins team have recruited so many Juveniles from France this year that I doubt if even the great man himself has an idea at this stage

In time, he is going to be a very well handicapped horse when he returns to the larger obstacles.

Some French Recruits are almost impossible to assess and she falls into that category.

An alternative is to look at the middle-distance races on the Flat in France and today's French Recruit, Le Bugiste, comes from that sphere.

His new connections will have little choice but to press on with his career in pattern races, but he shapes like a horse who will handle it