The Grand Prix de Paris (G1), featuring six colts who are covered by just three pounds on official ratings and represent the form of Europe's three major Derbys, provides an evening treat well worth tuning in for.
While the sextet who contested the Coral Eclipse Stakes (G1) at the start of the month left us wondering beforehand who might inject sufficient pace into the contest, there are several candidates for the role here.
El Bodegon has plenty of form in the book as a pacesetter, snaring his first group 1 in the 2021 Criterium de Saint-Cloud (G1) from the front, while Ioritz Mendizabal looked prepared to assume a share of that duty before Modern Games swept to the front in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (G1).
Finishing runner-up to Vadeni at Chantilly entitles him to top billing by one pound, and while he was beaten five lengths by the future Eclipse hero, he looks likely to appreciate the extra furlong and a half.
Piz Badile returned to more prominent tactics as well in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (G1) and while he was no match for winner Westover, he proved his stamina at a mile and a half when staying on well to be best of the rest.
One of two colts supplemented at the start of the week for €15,000, the Niarchos family representative would be a dangerous opponent for the other five if let loose on the front.
Also added late in the day was Simca Mille. Trainer Stephane Wattel had given a strong indication that this would be his next race the day he danced away from his rivals in the Prix du Lys Longines (G3) in June.
Both Simca Mille and L'Astronome made the running last time out and Wattel might have been speaking for several sets of connections when he said: "He is so uncomplicated that you don't need to adopt any particular set of tactics."
L'Astronome was last seen making all in the Prix Hocquart (G2) over a furlong shy of this course and distance in May but none of the four candidates considered so far are devoid of finishing speed; rather any one of them could ensure a decent rhythm if nobody else goes on.
So it might be an error to naturally assume that the race will automatically set up for the remaining two, the unbeaten Royal Ascot hero Eldar Eldarov and Prix Greffulhe (G2) winner Onesto.
Roger Varian stepped Eldar Eldarov up by half a mile from his win in a Newcastle novice to the Queen's Vase (G2) at Royal Ascot over 14 furlongs and although he was at his strongest at the line—David Egan struggled to pull him up before the mile start down the back—he again was swift over the final two furlongs.
Onesto is the one with the most obvious turn of foot, having flown late in the Prix du Jockey Club from a compromising wide draw.
By Frankel , out of a Sea The Stars mare, he ought to have the stamina for this task, though the fact he was able to clock a faster time than Vadeni from the two marker to the furlong pole suggests speed rather than staying power is his real strong suit.
El Bodegon cemented his love affair with French racing with a series of excellent efforts in the autumn of his 2-year-old season and it should not have come as any great surprise that, following a below-par comeback effort in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes (G2), he roared back to form when chasing home Vadeni in the Prix du Jockey Club last month.
The son of Kodiac has been a real flagbearer for trainer James Ferguson, who believes he has progressed again since Chantilly.
Ferguson said: "I've been delighted. I think he's matured and it's certainly been the biggest change since I've had him. I think I'm sending him over in tip-top condition.
"We're going there with form on our side, having been second in the French Derby and then Vadeni going on to win the Eclipse. It's a very competitive race; I don't think the mile and a half will be a problem. Ioritz (Mendizabal) is back on and knows the horse very well. I know they've watered plenty and hopefully they will continue to do so."
