THE French flat season kicked up a notch at ParisLongchamp last weekend with three group races on the card.

The Group 2 Prix d’Harcourt over 10 furlongs went to the short-priced favourite Map Of Stars, completing a four-timer on the day for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard.

James Doyle partnered the four-year-old son of Sea The Stars to a two and a half-length success for Wathnan Racing.

He had only won at listed level at three, but looks progressive.

In the Group 3 Prix la Force over nine furlongs, Andre Fabre’s Cualificar proved a neck too good for favourite Azimpour.

Godolphin’s son of Lope De Vega and Oaks winner Qualify was following up his maiden win in March for jockey Alexis Pouchin

The Group 3 Al Shira’aa Racing Prix Vanteaux over nine furlongs for fillies went to the favourite Mandanaba, the daughter of Ghaiyyath carrying the colours of Princess Zahra Aga Khan.

Mickael Barzalona partnered her to a three-quarter length success over Flaming Stone, the pair clear of the third Gezora.

The Graffard stable also produced a nice debut from the three-year-old Juddmonte filly Sunly, as the daughter of Night Of Thunder got off the mark on first time of asking in the 10-furlong maiden.

Deauville trials

Tuesday’s Deauville meeting hosted two more early season trials in the Group 3 Prix Djebel and Prix Imprudence, both over seven furlongs,

Maranoa Charlie had gone off favourite for the Saint-Cloud Group 1 Criterium International won by Twain last season, but lost his three-race unbeaten record there when only fourth. He got back to winning ways here, making all and justifying favouritism for Aurelien Lemaitre and trainer Christopher Head by a length and a quarter from Silius in the eight-runner field.

Running in the colours of Peter Maher, Carl Fitzgerald and John Baxter, he is another classic contender for Wootton Bassett, though Head said: “We’ll have to discuss it with the owners, but as well as the Poule [d’Essai des Poulains] there are several options.

“He could go sprinting or perhaps he might run in Britain. I think we’ll look at races for him that place an accent on his speed. All options remain open.”

The fillies’ trial, the seven-furlong Group 3 Prix Imprudence brought another win for the Juddmonte/Fabre/ Alexis Pouchin team with the daughter of Oasis Dream, Better Together, making it three wins in a row.