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.

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.

Horses don't often win French maidens in the manner that Special Wood won this race....

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

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.

"She took her form to a new level last week and should find plenty of other opportunities in the future".

There were plenty of other French runners at the Royal meeting in 2025 and although Lazzat was the only winner, there are reasons to be positive about several performances

Goliath returned to winning ways in La Coupe at Paris Longchamp on Sunday. The race has been won by the likes of Cirrus des Aigles, No Risk at All and Robin of Navan. It was a good piece of placement, but other than confirming his fitness, we didn't learn a great deal more about him. Here's why;

She is a Wootton Bassett filly and there are several Black Type performers in her immediate pedigree. That will surely be the first aim with her now.

When we add in that she is a New Bay half-sister to Calandagan, the story has a little bit more glamour than it might first have appeared.

There can be no doubt that the form of those behind him will leave this open to question in the future.

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

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

Visually she appeared to be a pattern class performer and the data from the race would appear to back up that opinion.

A pair of fascinating debutantes races from Saint-Cloud on Friday.