How hot is the French challenge at Royal Ascot?

Two years ago French-based trainers managed three winners at the royal meeting, while 2018's blank disguised near-misses in the Gold Cup and the Diamond Jubilee.

So who can we expect to make the trip this year and what impact might they make on the biggest prizes?

Tuesday

Queen Anne Stakes

Jean-Claude Rouget confirmed to listeners of Radio Balances last week that Olmedo is being aimed at the opening race on day one having been placed on both his starts this spring following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Unfortunately Olmedo's Prix du Muguet conqueror Plumatic looks set to miss the trip.

Olmedo (nearside) swoops to land the 2018 Poule d'Essai des PoulainsCredit: Edward Whitaker

French runners in the last decade 2 wins 3 places

Verdict A return to his 2018 Poule d'Essai-winning form would give Olmedo every chance but he'll need to settle better than at Saint-Cloud.

St James's PalaceStakes

In a race that suffers from indirect competition from the Prix du Jockey Club in the minds of French trainers, Carlos Laffon-Parias sends Shaman to uphold the Longchamp Guineas form this year having already landed the Group 3 Prix La Force over 1m1f.

Shaman (white cap) finished second to Persian King in the Emirates Poule d'Essai des PoulainsCredit: racing.com Staff

What the trainer says

"He is mentally very well adjusted and, while he doesn't show much in the mornings, he is in good shape. The result of the Jockey Club suggests that the two best bits of form are the Poulains and the Prix La Force."

French runners in the last decade 0 wins 2 placed

Verdict Fifth and second in two tries at Group 1 suggests place claims rather than a win prospect

Wednesday

Prince of Wales's Stakes

Waldgeist adds an extra dimension to what already looks the race of the week if Sea Of Class, Crystal Ocean and Masar all turn up.

As with each of those three contenders, Waldgeist has a wealth of form over a mile and a half but, on the evidence of his triumphant seasonal reappearance in the Prix Ganay – form backed up when runner-up Study Of Man filled the same spot in the Prix d'Ispahan – the drop back to a mile and a quarter is far from an inconvenience.

What the trainer says

"He was beaten a short head in the Prix du Jockey Club when he was unlucky and should have won, so he's competitive at this trip."

French runners in the last decade 2 wins 2 places

Verdict Hard to keep out of the first three

Thursday

Gold Cup

A stylish success in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier means not only that Called To The Bar jumped to the front of the queue among those vying to succeed the absent Vazirabad as France's best stayer but that he is also qualified for a tilt at the Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers Million series.

The son of Henrythenavigator should perhaps already have a Group 1 to his name after suffering interference in last season's Prix Royal-Oak, while trainer Pia Brandt has a decent yardstick as to what is required given Bathyrhon was beaten only two and a quarter lengths in the 2015 Gold Cup.

Called To The Bar and Theo Bachelot pull clear in the Prix Vicomtesse VigierCredit: jean-philipe MARTINI

What the trainer says

"This horse is more straightforward and more experienced than Bathyrhon. He has plenty of speed and if you look at his split times, he always runs under a minute for the last 1,000 metres [five furlongs], which is rare for a stayer."

French runners in the last decade 0 wins 3 placed

Verdict Not absolutely guaranteed to stay an extra half-mile on pedigree, but his turn of foot is the equal of most in the field and odds of 20-1 seriously underestimate his chances

Friday

Commonwealth Cup

Big Brothers Pride launched herself into the picture via the same Prix Sigy over five and a half furlongs as 2016 Commonwealth winner Quiet Reflection and last year's runner-up Sands Of Mali.

That she has not been seen since scoring by four lengths in mid-April is by design and, having hesitated between this target and the King's Stand, trainer Francois Rohaut continues to be pleased with a filly who set connections back €400,000 at Arqana.

What the trainer says

"She is really well and everything has gone fine since the Sigy. Since that race we have decided to concentrate on preparing her for Ascot without another run in between. I saw the race at Haydock where Calyx was beaten and we've now opted to go for the Commonwealth Cup rather than the King's Stand."

French runners in the four-year history of the race 0 wins 0 places

Verdict Versatile groundwise and looks a major player

Coronation Stakes

Thanks to wins for Immortal Verse, Ervedya and Qemah since 2011, this has been France's most successful race at the meeting in recent seasons.

With the news that dual Guineas heroine Hermosa is set to take her chance, there will be some that see this as a race for place money only but, in the unbeaten Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner Castle Lady, Alex Pantall has a filly whose true depths are yet to be mined.

Prix Imprudence winner Watch Me still has plenty to prove but had absolutely no luck when sixth in the Pouliches and news that Francis Graffard is preparing her for this race adds further intrigue.

What the trainer says

"Castle Lady still hadn't quite come in her coat at Longchamp but she looks in great shape now. She has done well physically and is absolutely serene. In principle this is the target."

French runners in the last decade 3 wins 4 places

Verdict Hermosa will be a tough nut to crack but, if Castle Lady can stay in contact, she looks to have more finishing speed. Neither should Watch Me be overlooked too readily.

Saturday

Diamond Jubilee Stakes

The two leading French chances are closely matched on their reappearance at Maisons-Laffitte in April but, while Inns Of Court has since backed up his success at Chantilly over five furlongs, Stephane Wattel took City Light for a racecourse gallop at Dieppe to put a fine edge on last year's Diamond Jubilee runner-up.

Connections of City Light (far side) will be hoping to go one better in this season's Diamond Jubilee StakesCredit: Mark Cranham

What the trainer says

"I've changed my normal way of preparation but City Light is a horse with a lot of energy and it was good to see Inns Of Court uphold the form. I place a lot of faith in Christophe Soumillon and he was delighted with the way he went in his gallop, which was a serious test as they went race pace."

French runners in the last decade 0 wins 4 places

Verdict A stiff six furlongs looks ideal for Inns Of Court, while City Light's narrow miss to Merchant Navy 12 months ago shows he not only has the required level of form but all-important course form as well.

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