Ground comes right for Abingdon as Stoute and Ballymacoll take aim

There may not be too many more occasions when the famous Ballymacoll silks – associated with the top-level glories of Troy, Pilsudski, Islington and the like – are carried with confidence into Group race company.

Ryan Moore will wear the distinctive pale blue jacket aboard the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Abingdon in the Group 2 Haras Firmamento Prix de Pomone (3.23).

Stoute will have been pleased to see minimal rain in Normandy for the filly, who was last seen when beaten by The Black Princess in the Lancashire Oaks.

"The pace was very funny at Haydock and she probably needs a good rhythm so we’ll see what happens, there are some good fillies in there," said Peter Reynolds, the longtime manager of Ballymacoll Stud, which was recently sold at auction and whose bloodstock is in the process of being dispersed.

"I’d be hopeful she can run a nice race. She's definitely capable of winning a Group 2 and hopefully this is the one. She's a lovely filly and she hasn’t been overutilised, Sir Michael has looked after her."

While Abingdon is the only British-trained runner in the line-up there is more Haydock form on offer, in the shape of French-trained Pinnacle Stakes winner Bateel. The form was boosted when runner-up Dubka found only Endless Time too strong at Goodwood during the week.

"The filly's in very good form and this is the race we've had in mind since she won at Haydock," said Bateel's trainer Francis Graffard.

"I'd love the ground to be as soft as possible for her. She's a good filly and will run well on good ground, but she's something else on soft."

Andre Fabre is responsible for three of the seven runners in the Group 3 Haras de la Pomme Prix de Reux (4.01).

Parabellum was only sixth when sent off favourite for the Grand Prix de Paris but gets a significant weight-for-age pull here from all bar Berdibek.