'What could be more French? It's the colour of champagne!'

To say there has been a sense of anticipation surrounding the reopening of Longchamp within French racing circles would be a rare case in the 21st century of dramatically underselling a point.

Think back to the curiosity and wonder – as well as no small amount of controversy – that surrounded the inauguration of the redeveloped Ascot 12 years ago.

Now imagine that there were only five or six top-grade Flat tracks in Britain and that more than 60 per cent of the season's Group 1s had to be moved during the refurbishment.