This was a step forward from his maiden win at Paris Longchamp in October, but was he a fortunate winner? Absolutely

It's yet more success for the Godolphin team and I won't be rushing to take on Cualificar, who is a winning horse after all.

Another day, another pair of impressive debutantes for Francis-Henri Graffard at Chantilly.

He has a long way to go before his connections can think about fulfilling those lofty ambitions, but he is heading in the right direction.

The French Guineas Trials are underway and we saw plenty of clues at Deauville on Tuesday. Here are my notes on the Prix Djebel.

He moved forwards at the cut away and with one strike pulled readily clear to win by 6-lengths. He was the best horse on this card.

He was keen, he pulled too hard, he was drawn wide and raced without cover, he hung to his right in the final furlong, yet still won.

He is a Teofilo half-brother to Birr Castle and should easily win a maiden next time on this evidence

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

She traveled better than the winner and shaped like a maiden winner in waiting next time.

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

"There are lots of reasons to be positive about this form in the weeks to come".

Being a gelding should not be a barrier to success and he is definitely worth keeping an eye on in the weeks ahead.

His closing sectionals would suggest that he is a considerably above average type.

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

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

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

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.

We can say that he won his only start in France under a hands ride and both the 2nd and 3rd have won since to boost the form.