Skalleti, Sealiway and Mare Australis set for exciting Longchamp clash on Sunday

In bringing together the winners of the Champion Stakes, Prix d'Ispahan and Prix Ganay, the Group 2 Prix d'Harcourt (4.00) serves up an early-season treat at the heart of Longchamp's first meeting of the year.

Ascot hero Sealiway will be on much more familiar terrain after failing to face the kickback from the Riyadh dirt in the Saudi Cup, while Mare Australis returns from an absence of 11 months.

Gestut Schlenderhan's son of Australia took a serious step forward from three to four, finishing runner-up to Skalleti in this race last year before making all to land the Ganay.

Andre Fabre felt he was a horse for the Arc at that stage, but after suffering a setback Mare Australis ran out of time for an autumn campaign and spent an extended period recuperating with his owners in Germany.

Mare Australis returnsn to the winner's enclosure at Longchamp after winning the Group 1 Prix GanayCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

A total of 31 millimetres of rain on Friday into Saturday has left Longchamp's virgin turf riding very soft (4.0) on the penetrometer, while the Turftrax goingstick reads heavy, soft in places (5.2).

The rainfall is music to the ears of Jerome Reynier as he prepares Skalleti for the defence of his title, having finished quick when third to Pretty Tiger on his reappearance in the Prix Exbury.

"I'm very happy with the horse and he's taken his comeback very well," said Reynier. "It worked well running in these two races last year and the forecast rain has arrived and proper soft ground is perfect for Skalleti."

The popular grey son of Kendargent is now a seven-year-old, but the way he finished off his race on much quicker ground in the Exbury is a positive.

"He is still showing plenty of appetite for his work in the mornings and frankly, I'm really looking forward to running him," admitted Reynier. "With only six runners it could be tactical, but he relaxes well in behind and should be able to deploy his finishing burst just fine."

The card also features a pair of early trials for the Chantilly Classics in the Prix Vanteaux (2.50) for fillies and the Prix La Force (3.25), both over 1m1f.

Longchamp Sunday full racecard

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