The hotshot trainers and ace jockeys you need to know in France

Maxime Guyon became champion jockey in France for the first time in 2019. The return of French action from Monday will be essential part of the daily diet.

Christophe Soumillon is a favorite of French punters. He finished fifth in the 2019 Jockeys' standings.

Maxime Guyon won the 2019 Jockey's Championship with 234 wins. Guyons retainer with Wertheimer et Frere ensures regular employment from Andre Fabre, Carlos Laffon-Parias and Freddy Head. He also has useful alliances with trainers Pia Brandt and Frederic Rossi.

Pierre-Charles Boudot enjoyed a stellar year in 2019 despite not winning the jockey's title. Edward Whitaker won a victory in the Arc for his mentor Andre Fabre and two Group 1s for Francis Graffard.

Cristian Demuro has won more Classics in France than any other jockey in the last five seasons. He finished fourth in 2019 standings. Demur rides the majority of Jean-Claude Rouget's first string Paris horses.

Augustin Madamet is a champion in pony racing and in the amateur ranks. He is the leading apprentice on the Flat in 2019 with 40 winners from fewer than 300 rides.

Coralie Pacaut finished 13th in the championship in 2019. Pacauts is attached to the powerful Rouget stable.

Felix de Giles has won Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris title in 2016. He is effective on horses that need to be given time to find their feet around Auteuil's demanding chase course.

Francois Nicolle has broken Guillaume Macaire's stranglehold on the trainers' title in the last two years.

Francis Graffard's team were in flying early-season form when the shutdown came. Aga Khan and Khalid Abdullah are the latest major owners to send Alain de Royer-Dupre's former assistant a first batch of two-year-olds.

Last season Alex Pantall's horse Castle Lady won the French Classic. Pantell rounded out the championship podium with Fabre and Rouget.

Andre Fabre has topped the championship standings in 30 of the last 33 seasons. French punters avoid horses that are simply overbet. Maidens can be lucrative for Listed companies.

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