Jerome Reynier has revealed they are leaning towards running the classy five-year-old Facteur Cheval in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Qipco British Champions Day.
Connections had muted they could look to switch their star five-year-old to dirt to face City Of Troy in the Breeders' Cup Classic, but it now looks more likely they will follow a more familiar route, with Jerome Reynier confirming he is on course for a repeat bid in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot next Saturday.
Following a narrow success in the Group 1 Dubai Turf at Meydan earlier this season, Facteur Cheval has performed creditably in Britain on his last two outings, finishing sixth in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot before a third-place finish behind Notable Speech and Maljoom in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
With the prospect of soft ground no concern for the Team Valor-owned son of Ribchester, connections will be hoping they can upset the likes of the well-fancied Charyn, who tops the market at a general 11/8.
"Facteur Cheval is in good shape," said Reynier, who will be hoping his contender can go one spot better than when six lengths behind Big Rock on Champions Day twelve months ago. "We have been thinking about the Breeders' Cup, but I think it makes sense to follow the same plan as last year and go back to Ascot for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes."
On his two performances in Britain this season, Reynier added: "I think you can forget about his run in the Queen Anne Stakes as he lost a shoe and raced on the wrong side of the track. I thought he ran a good race at Goodwood, even though the ground was a little bit too firm for him.
"Given how he looks and the way he is training, I think we have him in better shape now than before the Sussex Stakes. His latest gallop on Saturday was very good, and I am really pleased with where we are."
Facteur Cheval looks unlikely to be the only French Group 1 winner to make the trip to Berkshire for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, with trainer Mario Baratti also confirming Metropolitan is expected to take his chance.
The son of Zarak provided his trainer with a memorable first Classic success when landing the Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains in the spring, before going on to finish a highly creditable third behind Rosallion and Henry Longfellow in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
While Metropolitan does have three lengths to find on the reopposing Charyn based on his second-place finish in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville last time, Baratti is confident his horse can get close this time around with the prospect of soft ground likely to be in his favour.
Baratti said: "Metropolitan has improved again since the Jacques le Marois. He is getting stronger all the time and I have been very happy with his preparation for Champions Day.
"The plan is to go for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. We would like to try him over further at some stage, which is why he has an entry in the Champion Stakes, but I think it makes sense to stick to a mile for this race.
"I believe we can get closer to Charyn this time. Charyn was very impressive at Deauville but, in my opinion, he is better on good ground, whereas I think our horse is better on soft ground. Ascot is usually on the soft side in October and that will help our chance."
