Excitement for Ventura Storm brewing ahead of Longchamp

Connections of Ventura Storm are excited at the prospect of the progressive colt stepping up in class for the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp on Sunday.

The son of Zoffany, trained by Richard Hannon, has won the last two of his three career starts and carries the hopes of Middleham Park Racing in the Group One feature, for which 19 remain following the latest forfeit stage.

Winner of the same maiden at Newmarket that Frankel claimed as a two-year-old, Ventura Storm took a highly-competitive novice event over a mile at Salisbury on his most recent outing, raising hopes he can perform creditably in Paris.

"It's full steam ahead. The Hannons have thought a bit of him for a while. Even before his debut they were telling us good things about him," said Middleham Park's racing manager, Tim Palin.

"He's won on good ground and on soft. They are some horses that don't act on soft and that could be to our advantage if it remains on the easy side.

"There is a shower or two forecast on Saturday and a bigger band of rain coming late on Sunday, which is not going to get there in time.

"Our horse is proven in it and he's bred to get further than a mile, so obviously a stamina test over a mile would suit us rather than a speed test, but we don't need soft ground."

First Selection, who gave trainer Simon Crisford his first Pattern-race success in his first season when landing the Solario Stakes at Sandown, now goes in search of glory at the top level.

"Simon says the horse is a likely runner and is in good shape," said Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Abdulla Al Mansoori.

Hugo Palmer has left in Galileo Gold, winner of the Group Two Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, while Harry Dunlop has Deauville Listed scorer Robin Of Navan.

Aidan O'Brien has seven possibles - Lieutenant General, General Macarthur, Landofhopeandglory, Shogun, Hit It A Bomb, Air Vice Marshal and Johannes Vermeer.

O'Brien has four in the Total Prix Marcel Boussac in Minding, Ballydoyle, Best In The World and Coolmore, while Jim Bolger looks to his May Hill Stakes winner Turret Rock.

Karl Burke's Katie's Diamond is the sole British contender among 13 remaining entries.

Joe Tuite's Ebor hero Litigant, Marco Botti's Suegioo and the Hughie Morrison-trained Fun Mac are the three British hopefuls in the Qatar Prix du Cadran, for which 13 remain.

Champion jumps trainer Willie Mullins is double-handed with Clondaw Warrior and Simenon.

Other smart stayers include last year's runner-up Bathyrhon, Walzertakt and Alex My Boy.