1.35 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (Group 2) (4yo+) 1m7f110y

The Group 2 is the traditional French trial for the Ascot Gold Cup. Run at Saint-Cloud for the first time, two of the four runners could cross the Channel in 19 days’ time but the favourite Vazirabad is due back on this track for the Grand Prix on July 3rd. The four-year-old gelding has won his last six races and acts on all going. Trained by Alain de Royer-Dupré, the son of Manduro won the Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak over this course and distance last October and has since won the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan. On that form, he easily holds both Godolphin’s Manatee and the German runner Walzertakt. Last June, Manatee won the Grand Prix de Chantilly but was behind Vazirabad again at Meydan. Fly With Me landed the Vicomtesse Vigier in 2014 and is unbeaten this season. Last month, he was the narrow winner of the Group 3 Prix de Barbeville. Tactics are sure to play a role in a small field.