The French Ambassadors' guide to claiming Royal Ascot glory
The French racing community love Ascot. France Galop schedule nothing above Listed status on the Flat in opposition to focus on pageantry and the top-class racing.
The French Ambassador's sheets are worn by horses at Royal Ascot. They are a good place to start if you are making the pilgrimage across La Manche for the first time.
Gallic hopes on Day 1 rest with Signs Of Blessing in the King's Stand Stakes. Spectre trained by former Bayern Munich footballer Markus Munch will start at a big price in Queen Anne Stake. If you are travelling by car, remember which number car park you're in. If arriving by rail, marvel at the sight of so many impeccably-dressed people assembled on one commuter train.
Andre Fabre and Jean-Claude Rouget are going to be at Royal Ascot on Wednesday. Fabrido, Usherette and Qemah are running in the Jersey Stakes. Rouge is going with Gregory Benoist and Mekhtaal in Prince of Wales's Stake. Francois Doumen is the trainer of Aim To Please. Satoshi Kobayashi is represented by the Chilean-bred Furia Cruzada.
Gold Cup Day sees a sizeable increase in the crowd. There are no French-trained runners to cheer on.
Eoghan O'Neill is due to saddle Ardenode in the opening Norfolk Stakes. The plans will be finalised after the two-year-old passes through the sales ring at Goffs on Monday night.
It's Friday and it's time to play up your winnings. Caravaggio, Blue Point and Harry Angel are the favourites for the Commonwealth Cup. Fas, trained in Chantilly by Pia Brandt, will be a big price on the Tote.
France has won the last two Coronation Cup and again boasts strong representation in the shape of Precieuse for Fabrice Chappet and Sea Of Grace for Francois Rohaut. Niarchos family have already had a wonderful week thanks to Senga’s win in Prix de Diane and it would be a shame not to show support for Alpha Centauri in Albany Stakes. Call To Mind might win the King Edward VII Stake for the Queen.
Both Messieurs Rohaut and Chappet are involved in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes. Al Jazi and Finsbury Square line up in Wokingham Stake. The Queen is going to win the Hardwicke Stages with Dartmouth.
