AUTEUIL SUNDAY

2.50 PRIX RENAUD DU VIVIER (GRADE 1) 4YO COLTS, GELDINGS AND FILLIES 2M 31/2F

Willie Mullins sends his crack hurdler Footpad back to France for this prestigious event which has also attracted the English-trained Coo Star Sivola, Adrien Du Pont and Chic Name. The four visitors will have to pull out all the stops if they are to beat Device from the mighty stable of Guillaume Macaire.

Footpad is on a hat-trick at Auteuil following his short-neck defeat of Device (gave 4 1/2 lb) in a Grade 3 race in May, which preceded a victory in the Grade 1 Prix Alain du Breil in June. On this form, he should again account for Beyond Henry and Chic Name, who made much of the running. Footpad will be reappearing after a break of five months but is sure to make his presence felt.

Device missed the Alain du Breil but has been tuned up for this event with two winning outings at this track, which proved he is considerably superior Chic Name, Beyond Henry, Capivari and Youm. Paul Nicholls relies on Adrien Du Pont, who runs at Auteuil for the first time. He lifted a Grade 1 Juvenile hurdle at Chepstow last January and on that form holds both Chic Name and Coo Star Sivola.

Perfect Impulse is the only filly in the race and she comes back to hurdling after winning a chase here in October. At Enghien a year ago, she ran a decent fourth to Device in a Group 3 hurdle.

Selection: DEVICE

Next best: Footpad

SAINT-CLOUD SATURDAY

At Saint-Cloud this afternoon, Dermot Weld runs his smart stayer Forgotten Rules in the Listed Prix Solitude over 15 1/2 furlongs. Pat Smullen partners the gelding, who has been lightly raced this season.

Last month, he was a reasonable seventh in the Group 2 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Stakes at Ascot and the cut in the ground should be an advantage. This surface should also suit Return Ace, who James Fanshawe is stepping up considerably in class following a handicap victory back in June.

The John Ryan-trained Sandro Botticelli was behind Forgotten Rules at Ascot but a listed winner at Sandown Park in July. Pearl Dragon could be the best in the home team. He was a five-length winner from Golden Guepard on the all-weather at Chantilly last month and stablemate Shalakar also has a chance of finishing in the frame.