An early start to racing in France today. At Lyon Parilly in the 9.40 race, which has a small field of six lining up, Mangos, reverts to hurdles after success over fences at Auteuil on November 5th. He is a winner over hurdles on debut and he should be able to get the job done again back over the smaller obstacles.

Mondialto D’huez will try to remain unbeaten in the 11.00 race at Fontainebleau and should be too smart for his rivals. He has a couple of live threats in Match Amical and the Christophe Soumillon mount Mabriska, both of them are also unbeaten.

At Ascot in the 1.30 race, which is a Grade 2 event, Il Est Francais will try to take the prize back to France. He will likely be ridden positively by regular rider James Reveley and could be hard to catch if allowed to set his own fractions from the front.

JPR One would be my pick in the 3.15 race, which is a competitive handicap chase. He has cheekpieces for the first time and will be ridden by the excellent Brendan Powell.

More soon.