Overview

• France Galop reported a 3.3 penetrometer reading (“bon souple”) on Friday morning, with two rain bands due Friday night and Saturday morning that could push conditions toward 3.8–3.9 and soft on race day.
• Minnie Hauk remains market leader, with bookmakers quoting around 7-2, while Aventure is next best near 4-1 after drawing stall 12; Minnie Hauk is in stall 1 and Japan’s Byzantine Dream starts from 15.
• Form guides point to Aventure, Kalpana, Los Angeles and Hotazhell as potential beneficiaries if the turf eases, whereas Japan’s Byzantine Dream and Croix Du Nord are viewed as likelier to peak on quicker ground.
• Trainer and jockey messaging underscores the ground watch, with Christophe Ferland expressing quiet confidence in Aventure and Japanese connections stressing preparation while acknowledging surface preferences.
• Undercard fields are set, including a 12-runner Prix de l’Opera and a 19-strong Prix de l’Abbaye featuring Australian sprinter Asfoora, as connections of 40-1 shot White Birch say deeper ground would boost his chance.