Scott Burton, our man in France, picks out two fancies on the Lyon Parilly bill

French Aseel
10.45 Lyon Parilly
1pt win

Pappalino
1.58 Lyon Parilly
1pt win

Jean-Claude Rouget has enjoyed better luck with his fillies than colts this week, which should settle the nerves of anyone thinking about taking a short price about Grey Mystere, who is the only runner in the Prix Pimpim (10.45) to have earned black type at two.

The reason for the expected price crash is that her Listed second in the Grand Criterium de Bordeaux came behind none other than Pao Alto, a deeply impressive winner at Longchamp on Thursday and a springer in the market for the Prix du Jockey Club.

Grey Mystere was four and a half lengths behind Pao Alto on that occasion, a margin that could have been doubled had Maxime Guyon decided to be in any way forceful on the winner.

In terms of raw form, that is still well clear of anything French Aseel needed to produce when breaking his maiden here in March by a yawning six and a half lengths.

Not that he was without some good form at two, notably when chasing home this week's Prix de Fontainebleau winner The Summit last September.

But it was the manner with which French Aseel put his race to bed last time which breeds confidence, while Philippe Decouz is a trainer who will not be cowed by the presence of superpower opposition.

The feature Prix Bedel (1.58) looks a pretty tight affair but it is very hard not to be struck by another recent piece of collateral form, namely Simona's fine effort in third in the Prix d'Harcourt on Monday.

That followed up her success in the Group 3 Prix Exbury in March, a race in which third-placed Pappalino was asked to try and take her on early in the straight.

That was over 1m2f on very heavy ground and Pappalino had previously proved his versatility trip-wise when scoring at Mont de Marsan.

The form of the Fabrice Chappet team and an unbeaten record will make Skyward the likely favourite but he hasn't run since September, while the form of his Listed success at Saint-Cloud is nothing to be frightened of.

His limits are as yet unknown and he might outclass his rivals here but he still has questions to answer and can hopefully make the market for Pappalino.

Place bets on international races with the Racing Post app. Log in to your bookmaker accounts in the Accounts tab in the bottom right and then click cards to view the racecards