During the past few years, the "Guineas" events in France – particularly the colts' version – have taken less to win than their English counterparts. Both the "Poules d'Essai" are contested the same day over the metric mile (1600 m) at Longchamp, in the leafy suburbs of Paris, and this year's renewals are slated for Sunday, May 15th.

The state of the ground will undoubtedly affect the results. A long dry spell in Europe this spring has meant that the ground at Longchamp has been nowhere near the state of soft/heavy that is often to be found in French racing. In fact, to avoid the ground becoming firm, racecourse manager Christian Delporte has been forced to water the track regularly. And although rainfall is expected before racing on Sunday, a drizzle is the most that might materialize. "I watered after racing on Wednesday and will be topping up just a little during the run up to Sunday when I expect the ground to be good," said Delporte.

Four Group races have been carded during the afternoon and the plums kick off with the Prix Hocquart, Gr.2. At 3:08 local time, 16 fillies are scheduled to jump off for the €450,000 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, Gr.1, the first classic of the young season.

One of these is the in-form Rimth (by Oasis Dream). British trainer Paul Cole, who scored with Culture Vulture in this race in 1992, has supplemented her in to the event at a cost of €27,000. Christophe Soumillon, who had an advisory role to play in the connections taking this decision, will be aboard. Meanwhile, Memory (by Danehill Dancer), who had been schooled repeatedly to overcome the aversion to the gate that cost her dearly in the Qipco 1000 Guineas, Gr.1, at Newmarket, will now not run in France – she has come into season and may go to Ireland next week or straight to Royal Ascot.

The probable favourite will be Gestut Ammerland's Golden Lilac, bred on the same cross as Frankel (by Galileo out of a Danehill mare), and schooled by maestro Andre Fabre. Unbeaten from 3 starts, including the Prix de la Grotte, Gr.3, over course and distance last time out, she hails from the family of Epsom Derby hero Blenheim. Olivier Peslier replaces Maxime Guyon, who has been her regular pilot hitherto. Also unbeaten – from 2 starts – Godolphin's Zoowraa (by Azamour) from Mahmood Al Zarooni's yard will have Frankie Dettori for company. However, the filly is drawn 16, widest of all. Racing manager Simon Crisford volunteered: "Zoowraa is very well but she's drawn on the outside, which is going to make life extremely difficult. All her form is on softer ground too, so that is maybe another negative factor, but she's in good form and we're pleased with her."

The all-conquering Juddmonte team is represented by Helleborine (by Observatory) who lost a few fans when only runner-up (to Moonlight Cloud) in the Prix Imprudence, Gr.3, last month. Trained by Criquette Head-Maarek, who was successful last year in this race for the same connections with Special Duty, the filly has not been out of one-two in her five starts and will be steered by Stephane Pasquier. "She is in very good form and the only worry is the draw. Stall 11 is a bad draw," said Head-Maarek, adding "(Helleborine) has improved quite a lot physically since Maisons-Laffitte and the faster ground will suit her."

Never off the board, Maqaasid (by Green Desert) represents English Guineas form – she was third there, beaten just 2 lengths by Blue Bunting. Trainer John Gosden is quite confident of a good run from Hamdan Al Maktoum's consistent filly, who has retained rider Richard Hills at the controls.

Just over an hour and a quarter later, 15 colts will go the post for the €450,000 Poule d'Essai des Poulains, Gr.1. British trainer David Simcock has withdrawn his ward, Dream Ahead (by Diktat) because of concerns about the ground. “They are giving it as good ground, but I believe it’s good to soft on top and like a road underneath," he is reported to have said, adding “the ground is vital for (Dream Ahead) and we’ll learn nothing by running him on ground like that, so we’re going to sit tight and wait for the rain.” Judging by current weather patterns in Europe, it is going to be a long wait!

That has left the coast clear for the unbeaten Wootton Bassett (by Iffraaj) to notch up a sixth consecutive success, and the Richard Fahey-trained colt is favoured to do so. Should he succeed, he would give 2010 champion jockey Paul Hanagan the very first of what should be a long line of classic winners. Incidentally, the colt has already advertised his affinity for Gallic conditions by annexing the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, Gr.1, on the track last October although admittedly that victory was achieved on very soft going.

Joint runner-up on that occasion, Maiguri (by Panis), the mount of Gerald Mosse, will try and reverse the verdict, as will the other joint runner-up, Tin Horse (by Sakhee), with Thierry Jarnet up. Arguably Salto (by Pivotal) has that pair well-held on form and should shape as the principal challenger to Wootton Bassett. Salto represents the Goldikova connections (Wertheimer et Frere/Freddie Head/Olivier Peslier) and perhaps some of that "magic" may rub off on him.

Team Godolphin fields the improving Modern History (by Shamardal), from Andre Fabre's Chantilly stables along with the intriguing Midsummer Fair (by Medaglia d'Oro), unbeaten at his only start. Frankie Dettori has chosen the former, leaving Mikael Barzalona to partner the latter. Juddmonte sends out Glaswegian (by Selkirk), a progressive sort, who is coming off a stylish win in the Prix de Fontainebleau, Gr.3, for trainer Pascal Bary on April 24th. He could trouble the best if he goes on improving.

In the final analysis, Wootton Bassett can realistically be considered as the proverbial "good thing", though he would have been even more strongly fancied had he had a 2011 run under his belt – and not been drawn 14! Plans for a prep race earlier this season had to be altered after a minor setback. Still, Hanagan is quite sanguine about his mount's chances: "I've got the biggest day of my career on Sunday going for my first classic winner...and I can't wait," Hanagan said in his blog. "He's by far the best horse I've ever ridden and I think he's the best horse in the race."