1

Zarak

Out of the brilliant racemare Zarkava and Zarak looked very good in winning his first two starts, latterly when overcoming a highly regarded opponent over the straight 1600m at Maisons-Laffitte. However he was a big disappointment at a G1 at Deauville subsequently, perhaps racing on the leastfavourable part of the track but he'll still need to do a lot better this time. Perhaps the longer trip will help.

2

Raseed

Has an advantage over his rivals in that he has already won over this course and distance landing the G3 PrixNoailles - an established Prix du Jockey Club trial without his jockey having to work too hard. The form of that race has taken plenty of knocks since with the second and third both having been soundly beaten. HoweverRaseed is clearly progressive and is proven on soft ground.

3

Mekhtaal

The likely favourite and, though he was surprisingly beaten as an odds-on favourite on his previous start, he looked an awful lot sharper when leading from start to finish in a G2 over 2000m at Deauville last month, streaking clear stylishly in the straight. His breeding suggests that this slightly longer journey (and Chantilly's tough uphill finish) will help and he looks to have a solid winning chance.

4

Royal Julius

A good two-year-old and possibly a better three-year-old though it is very hard to see him winning France's premier three-year-old race as two starts back he finished fifth in a G3 with several of Sunday's opponents in front of him and was then 6 1/2L behind likelyfavourite Mekhtaal at Deauville. There didn't look to be excuses on either occasion.

5

Robin Of Navan

He led from start to finish to win G1 as a two-year-old, - over 2000m at Saint-Cloud. Although beaten into second on his 2016 debut, the winner Cloth Of Stars is well fancied for the Derby at Epsom. His trainer says Robin Of Navan will be sharper this time and insists he will handle the testing ground  perfectly.

6

Black Sea

The betting suggested he was not the main Aidan O'Brien-trained contender in the G2 Dante Stakes and indeed Black Sea was well out of contention in the closing stages of that York trial for the Derby at Epsom. He had earlier led close home to win a Listed race over 1600m at Leopardstown, surviving the heavy ground there but not looking happy on it. Not a likely winner in his company.

7

Almanzor

As a two-year-old he readily won his first three starts at smaller tracks though he did disappoint when moved into G1 company. However in his two starts this season - both at Chantilly - he has looked like a serious colt latterly with a straightforward victory over three rivals in a G3, leading throughout. Up in distance but he seems to have enough stamina in his pedigree.

8

Apilobar

Much improved from a modest beginning last season, winning his first three starts this season including when finishing comfortably ahead of rival here Talismanic in Listed company in March, handling the testing ground well. However returning about two months later he was struggling in the closing stages of a G2 at Saint-Cloud last time with today's rival Robin Of Navan ahead of him.

9

Floodlight

From the mighty stable of Andre Fabre who has a great record in this race though Floodlight does not come here with particularly positive vibes. He has won two of his four starts but couldn't catch front-running Almanzor in a G3 at Chantilly last month, and this American-bred probably needs quicker ground before he will flourish.

10

Talismanic

Ended 2015 on a high when surging to a 7l victory in a maiden at a minor French track. He looks to have progressed further at three and didn't have too much difficulty winning a 2400m Listed event at Saint Cloud last month with his victims including a better fancied stablemate. He comes from France's most successful stable and, though he may lack brilliance, he has a chance if this develops into a slog up the tough Chantilly home stretch.

11

Foundation

A relaxed and highly talented colt who won his first three starts at two including at G2 level. A beaten favourite on his first start this season but that 1600m G3 turned into a sprint that didn't suit. Over a similar distance to this he then ran a good third to Wings Of Desire and Deauville (both fancied for the Derby at Epsom) in a G2 at York. Good chance if he can handle the anticapted very soft ground.

12

Ventura Storm

Won twice at two and showed a good attitude to gain a Listed race win on his three-year-old debut. However this UK trained colt has made very little impact in a G3 in Ireland and a G2 in France when moved up to 2000m on his last two starts. He'll get softer ground here which might help but it is still very hard to imagine he can win.

13

Golden Bridge

Takes on the big boys from Chantilly here, having run his five races in the South and West of France - winning three times. However, although he was an easy winner over 2400m last time it would be a huge shock if he managed to successfully score in G1 company here.

14

Dicton

Cheaply claimed by today's connections earlier in his career and has proved a real bargain with a string of victories most recently when battling hard to win a G3 over 1600m here at Chantilly. Although thrashed into third he did better than all the French-trained runners in the G1 French 2000 Guineas at Deauville last month. This tough and consistent colt may struggle at this longer distance. 

15

Imperial Aviator

Supplemented into this field after two exciting victories this season, first when beating highly-regarded Epsom Derby fancy Ulysses in a maiden and then when shooting clear of some very smart handicappers at Newbury. This slightly longer trip is no problem and his trainer hopes (and prays) he'll handle the very soft ground.

16

Bravery

Has won just one of his four starts and that was in all-weather maiden, prior to outrunning his odds of 33-1 when finishing fourth in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas (1600m) at The Curragh. He moves up to a distance that might well suit and, although Irish maestro Aidan O'Brien hasn't had much success in this race in the past, his runners in G1's can never be discounted.

17

Parthenius

One of Germany's top two-year-olds last season, narrowly winning a G3 over 1700m at Krefeld last November, with the first two clear of the rest. However disappointing over the same course and distance on his return in April. Hard to fancy.