SAINT-CLOUD SUNDAY

12.55 Criterium International (Group 1) 2yo 7f

Six of the eight runners in this race, which has been shortened to seven furlongs this year, are trained outside France and the locals have a hard task. Aidan O’Brien relies on Johannes Vermeer who took fourth place in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere with Attendu further back in eighth position. The Irish colt has since been runner-up in last Saturday’s Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster. Donjuan Triumphant is the one they all have to beat but he will be running over this longer distance for the first time. Trained by Richard Fahey, the son of Dream Ahead easily won the Group 2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte by five and a half lengths on soft ground. Almanzor looks the best of the French. Jean-Claude Rouget has saddled the colt to win three races in the province. Tashweeq was just touched off for third place when some six lengths behind Air Force Blue in the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes and John Gosden had previously saddled him to win two lesser events over this distance. Mick Channon is stepping up Scrutineer in class but he has won his last two outings in a canter. Stormy Atlantic is on a hat-trick after wins at Sandown Park and Newbury.

Selection: JOHANNES VERMEER

Next best: Donjuan Triumphant

1.30 Criterium de Saint-Cloud (Group 1) 2yo 1m 2f

Idaho is an exciting prospect and he stretched out in the final furlong to win a maiden at the Curragh over a mile by three and a half lengths. The runner-up has won since, albeit a nursery at Leopardstown. Robin Of Navan has been campaigned almost exclusively in France by Harry Dunlop this season as he attracts generous owners’ premiums (nearly €158,000 so far) but the colt also has excellent form. He has won three of his four races and followed a listed success at Deauville with a victory in the Group 3 Prix de Conde at Chantilly. That day, he accounted for Millfield and Cloth Of Stars and there is no reason why he should not do so again. Judging by his penultimate performance at Haydock, Ormito likes to get his toes in and he was fourth in a listed race at Newmarket last time.

Selection: IDAHO

Next best: Robin Of Navan

2.45 Prix de Flore (Group 3) 3yo+ Fillies 1m 2 1/2f

Marsh Daisy, from the Hughie Morrison stable, came to France in September and won a listed race from Alzubra, who has been supplemented by André Fabre. Alzubra has since won a listed race. Parade Music was a respectable fifth in the Group 2 Qatar Prix de Royallieu and she will have her going. Brendan Powell’s Kallisha hacked up at Newbury on heavy ground and Ed Walker sent Persona Grata to Maisons-Laffitte in September to win a listed race.

Selection: PARADE MUSIC

Next best: Marsh Daisy

3.20 Prix Perth (Group 3) 3yo+ 1m

The class act is Fintry who like Elliptique is trained by André Fabre. Last year, Fintry captured the Group 2 Prix de Sandringham. A training setback led to her missing the Coronation Stakes at Ascot but she went to Sandown Park in late August and won the Group 3 Atlanta Stakes from Odeliz who has captured two Group 1 races this season. Johnny Barnes waltzed away with the Prix Quincey at Deauville and was not at home on the firmer surface in the Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein. Sonnerie was fourth in the same race and had previously beaten the 2014 Qipco 1000 Guineas winner Miss France at Longchamp