Will we be seeing Guineas prospects or future Commonwealth Cup contenders in pair of Group 3s?

While the opening skirmishes of the Flat turf season in France have been taking place for a few weeks now, the running of the Prix Djebel and Prix Imprudence, two of the most important Classic trials, marks a significant quickening of the tempo.

Run over the straight seven furlongs at Deauville, the two Group 3 races have often proved as informative for the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket as they are as pointers to the opening French Classics a week later at Longchamp.

The Patrice Cottier-trained Daylight was placed in the Prix Morny and the Cheveley Park Stakes last season and holds Guineas entries on both sides of the Channel, although she must first prove she has some stamina to go with her other qualities in the Prix Imprudence (3.15).

Joint-owner Gousserie Racing's Pauline Chehboub said of the daughter of Earthlight: "Everything is going well with her and we can’t wait to see her back on track. We’re testing the water in terms of the distance as this is her first try over 1,400 metres [seven furlongs]. 

Gousserie Racing's Pauline Chehboub (second left) and Mickael Barzalona with Daylight after the Prix de CabourgCredit: Racing Post/Burton

"We know she loves a straight track and this comeback run will help decide her programme going forward, particularly with regard to the trip. She is entered in the Poule d’Essai [des Pouliches] and the 1,000 Guineas, and following the Imprudence we’ll know where we’re going with her."

The yellow and green Gousserie silks are also represented by Kaadi, who has mostly been campaigned at sprint distances but was second to Silius – who runs in the Prix Djebel earlier on the card – in the Listed Prix de la Californie over 7½f on soft ground at Cagnes-sur-Mer in January. 

"She has brought us a lot of pleasure and is such a brave filly," said Chehboub. "She also loves the straight track at Deauville and has her chance as well.”

Oisin Murphy, who has a ride in both Group 3 races, retains his partnership with the Yann Barberot-trained Lhakpa, who has been running well in defeat in Dubai.

Arabie and Jim Crowley after scoring in the Group 3 Prix du BoisCredit: Racing Post/Burton

The Prix Djebel (2.05) also features one of the faster juveniles of last season, as Karl Burke and Jim Crowley team up with Arabie, twice a winner at Group level in France last term before finishing a place behind Daylight when fourth in the Prix Morny. 

"He had a little injury which needed sorting out – it was fairly minor, but we gave him plenty of time," said Burke, who has opted for Deauville over the Greenham at Newbury on Saturday for the son of Dandy Man.

"He’s done really well, but I’d just be a little bit worried that a few of mine seem to be needing their first run this year. He’s done plenty of work, but is a bit on the lazy side at home and I’m sure he'll improve on whatever he does.

"This will tell us where we’re going for the rest of the season. Over six [furlongs] he’s lazy, but he runs his races as if he’ll get seven. Dandy Mans don’t tend to get any further than seven, if they stay that far, and we could still end up going down the Commonwealth Cup route."

Maranoa Charlie: already a course winner at DeauvilleCredit: Zuzanna Lupa/Arqana

Local pari-mutuel punters look likely to side with Maranoa Charlie, who has proven ability at a mile and is likely to try to burn off his rivals from the front as he did in the Prix Thomas Bryon last October. 

The son of Wootton Bassett came up short when fourth behind Twain in the Group 1 Criterium International in October, but remains an exciting prospect for his Australian owners and trainer Christopher Head. 

Francis Graffard, who is represented by Listed scorer Woodshauna, is on a phenomenal run of form, having saddled four winners at Longchamp's opening meeting of the year on Sunday, while Murphy takes the ride on Le Roi Rene for trainer Jerome Reynier.

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