French jaunt on agenda for Zabeel Prince

Roger Varian hopes Zabeel Prince can continue his progression on his return to Group One company in the Prix d'Ispahan at ParisLongchamp.

Having been campaigned over a mile last season, the Lope De Vega gelding took a step up in trip to nine furlongs in his stride on his return in the Earl of Sefton at Newmarket last month.

The Newmarket handler had considered running the six-year-old in the Lockinge at Newbury on Saturday, but having been impressed with his seasonal return he feels he has made the correct decision.

Varian said: "Zabeel Prince is training well and we are really happy with his progress.

"He won over nine furlongs at Newmarket and we were thinking about the Lockinge, but having gone up in trip we thought we would stay there and go to France.

"He got the trip well at Newmarket and that is why I want to try to maintain that progress up in trip.

"Forest Ranger gave the form of his Newmarket win a nice boost at Chester, which is always good to see."