Trueshan pitches the form of the Cadran against the Arc in fascinating Royal-Oak

France Galop decided at the start of the year to relocate the Prix Royal-Oak from Longchamp to Saint-Cloud in search of less punishing, end-of-season ground, and has been rewarded with a line-up which includes several high-class stayers. 

Trueshan was an excellent second to the outstanding Kyprios in the Cadran, while Sevenna's Knight showed just how much class he has when fifth to Bluestocking in the Arc, providing a fascinating meeting of form lines.

Ironically, both leading protagonists have excellent form at Longchamp and although Trueshan will be encountering its left-handed sister across the river for the first time, Sevenna's Knight ran down the field in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud when appearing not to cope with quick ground when asked to go a mile and a half pace. 

Double Major has a higher rating with the France Galop handicapper than either of those rivals and looked a non-stayer in the Cadran, so the question is whether that effort has left a mark as he comes back to his favoured two miles. The Wertheimers' son of Daiwa Major virtually walked across the line three weeks ago. 

History suggests the weight-for-age pull enjoyed by the three-year-olds is often a determining factor, as six of the last nine winners have come from the Classic generation.

Sevenna's Knight: after fifth place in the Arc he returns to two miles Credit: Racing Post/Burton

Trueshan, Sevenna's Knight and Double Major all have a peak Racing Post Rating this season of 116, which is below the median RPR of 117.5 of the best older horse in each of those six years when a three-year-old was successful. 

Grosvenor Square has shown the most of the three younger horses who line up, and he ran a better race than the official margin of defeat suggests when third in the St Leger, having been asked to ensure the pace under Gavin Ryan. 

The extra two furlongs must be taken on trust but Grosvenor Square won the Group 3 Eyrefield Stakes on heavy ground last October, so he looks likely to be suited by the overall nature of the test, especially if the race is run at slightly more conservative fractions than at Doncaster. 

Trueshan 'worked well in midweek' 

The French-bred Trueshan has enjoyed great success on his trips 'back home', winning a pair of Cadrans and finishing second in that race three weeks ago. 

Trueshan has twice won the Prix du Cadran and tackles the Prix-Royal-Oak at Saint-Cloud on SundayCredit: Edward Whitaker

But his standing date with the Long Distance Cup over the last four years means this will be his first attempt at the Royal-Oak, a race usually run in his favoured deep ground but which falls just eight days after Champions Day.

"He went over on Friday morning, having worked well in midweek," said Alan King. "I just thought that with the extra week between the Cadran and this race it made sense to go to Saint-Cloud rather than take on Kyprios again at Ascot. 

"He should be able to cope with the conditions and is in good form. The Andre Fabre horse, Sevenna’s Knight, who finished fifth in the Arc, might prove hard to beat."

What they say

Andre Fabre, trainer of Sevenna's Knight
He’s still in good shape after the Arc and he’ll appreciate the extra distance, while more rain wouldn’t do his chances any harm. He’s a sound and strong horse and I’m very happy with him. More races over a mile and a half next year could be a good option for him if he can improve a little bit.

Christophe Ferland, trainer of Double Major
The distance was the problem in the Cadran. Obviously, Kyprios is a very good horse as well, but he just didn't stay. It's good that we tried 4,000 metres [two and a half miles] but now he's back at his favourite trip and he seems to be well.

Double Major: returns to his preferred trip of two miles Credit: Racing Post/Burton

Alessandro Botti, joint-trainer of Presage Nocturne
We knew coming out of handicaps that he still had some improvement in him and he showed that in the Gladiateur. Now he's taking on proper horses in a strong-looking Royal-Oak, but he's in very good form and he is fresh having not run over Arc weekend.

Mathieu Brasme, trainer of Shakti
Running here rather than in the Group 3 for fillies and mares [Prix Belle De Nuit] on the same card might not be the more logical choice, but the owners are very sporting people and, now she has won her Listed race, she's already kept up her end of the bargain. She is in great form but what I'm really counting on is that she loves heavy ground and that's what she's going to get. It's a great challenge.

Align The Stars and Joe Fanning head to Saint-Cloud for the Prix Royal-OakCredit: john grossick

Charlie Johnston, trainer of Align The Stars
He has enjoyed a very progressive season through the handicap ranks. The wheels came off at York last time, and it was a difficult run to get our heads round. He did get worked up in the preliminaries and perhaps ran his race beforehand. We’re going in at the very deep end and he has a bit to find. However, we view him as a Cup horse for next year, and we ran Subjectivist in this race at the back end of his three-year-old career, which he won.

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