Vazirabad seeks third win to earn place in Royal-Oak history

The core of the British Flat season may be over but in France there is still a Classic to be run and the country's top stayer Vazirabad bids for an unprecedented hat-trick in the Prix Royal-Oak at Saint-Cloud (3.25).

France's equivalent of the St Leger has only produced four dual winners since it was opened to older horses in 1979 and the Aga Khan's Vazirabad is the latest, last year's triumph the first in a sequence of five wins from six runs.

He gained his latest triumph in the 2m4f Prix du Cadran on Arc day where he held the rallying Mille Et Mille to win by a half a length.

Vazirabad reverts to his optimum trip this time around, where he will once again face Mille Et Mille, plus Lonsdale Cup winner Montaly, the Willie Mullins-trained Rennetti and Brandon Castle, who has completed a rapid rise through the handicap ranks under Archie Watson.

Montaly beat Dartmouth at York in August but was well beaten next time out in the Doncaster Cup.

His trainer Andrew Balding said: "He won the Lonsdale Cup but was a bit below form last time but we probably ran him back too soon. He didn't run great in this race last year but I think he is better than he was this time last year and I am hoping for a place."

Cumani hoping for another Pleasant time

Luca Cumani returns to Saint-Cloud to try to win the Group 3 Prix de Flore (2.45) for the second year running.

The Newmarket trainer took the prize with Loving Things 12 months ago and now saddles Pleasant Surprise, who has suffered two near-misses lately.

She was beaten a short neck in a Listed race on this track before going down by half a length to Apphia in the Group 3 Princess Royal Stakes.

Pleasant Surprise, pictured finishing second to Apphia, has been unlucky of lateCredit: Mark Cranham

A strong home team includes smart three-year-olds Group 3 winner Golden Legend and Listen In while the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Intimation and Company Asset (Kevin Ryan) also take their chance.

Cumani said: "Pleasant Surprise is working well and ran her best race when finishing second in the same grade last time, so she should go close."

Intimation is turned out quickly after running at Newmarket last Saturday where she met trouble in running when sixth of seven in the Group 3 Darley Club Stakes.

Cheveley Park Stud managing director Chris Richardson said: "She just likes soft ground and it was a bit quick for her at Newmarket. She is happiest in a bog and conditions look like suiting her. It's her last hurrah. She has a huge amount of ability when she gets her conditions."

Saint-Cloud card

Hannon's Gran return

Richard Hannon snr was the last British trainer to win Italy's Group 2 Gran Criterium (4.45 San Siro) and five years after Law Enforcement took the prize the stable returns with a pair of challengers.

De Bruyne Horse: won the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom earlier on this seasonCredit: Mark Cranham

De Bruyne Horse and Move Over are both owned by enterprising Middleham Park Racing and neither have proved up to Group 2 company in Britain but may find the £200,000 San Siro contest an easier test.

De Bruyne Horse won the Woodcote Stakes on Derby day and will be having his 12th start of the year while Move Over was second to Dee Ex Bee at Epsom last time.

Hannon, whose father won the race twice, said: "This is a good spot for both of them. They have done plenty of racing and they should have a chance."

San Siro card