Graffard ready to teach the English a lesson with 'madam' Bateel

When one of the less well known French trainers wins a big race in Britain the first question aired in the press room is "does he speak English?"

Never, please note, "oh marvellous, a great chance to road test our French."

In the case of Francis Graffard, trainer of Bateel, who is vying for favouritism in Saturday's Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, the answer to whether he speaks the language is "yes, rather better than most of the English."