Francis-Henri Graffard hopes his “turbocharged” potential star Zarigana can prove too strong as France bids to defend both its Classic races at Paris-Longchamp on Sunday.

Graffard saddled last year’s Group One Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (1,600m) winner Rouyiha in the iconic Aga Khan silks and Zarigana, ridden by Mickael Barzalona, will sport the same red and green colours as she bids to live up to her top billing.

She won the course and distance Group Three Prix d’Aumale after a successful debut and helped grow her stock by finishing a narrow second in the Group One Prix Marcel Boussac – again over Sunday’s course and distance.

Her return run in the course and distance Group Three Prix de la Grotte over fellow Guineas hopeful She’s Perfect was more workmanlike than impressive, but Graffard has backed her to be on song in one of Sunday’s features.

“She races in a slightly unusual style, carrying her head quite high, and she has this stride that makes her so powerful. Then, she can turn on the turbochargers when she quickens up,” said Graffard.

“Such is her ability to accelerate she can’t hit the front too early so she’ll be the last to attack.”

Graffard also trains second favourite Mandanaba, who followed up her facile debut success by winning the Group Three Prix Vanteaux (1,800m) in gritty fashion.

Andre Fabre has not won the Pouliches since 2011 and will hope to put that right with Group Three Prix Imprudence (1,400m) winner Better Together, who steps up to the mile for the first time.

Global powerhouse Aidan O’Brien’s only Pouliches win came back 2001 with Rose Gypsy and he arrives with four chances, headlined by Exactly – ridden by Ryan Moore – and Bedtime Story.

Of the British raiders, Charlie Fellowes trains Prix de la Grotte second She’s Perfect, while Celestial Orbit bids to give young trainer Ollie Sangster his first Group One success after a near miss in the English 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket last weekend.

The male race, the Group One Poule d’Essai des Poulains (1,600m), has a wide-open feel to it, with the market headed by Aidan O’Brien’s quirky but talented Henri Matisse.

O’Brien has already won the race five times, most recently with St Mark’s Basilica in 2021, and last year’s Group One Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (1,600m) winner Henri Matisse arrives on the back of a last-gasp success in the Group Three Red Rocks Stakes (1,400m) at Leopardstown.

O’Brien also saddles course winner Camille Pissarro, who won the Group One Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (1,400m) last October, and Serengeti, who looks booked for pacemaking duties.

Group Three Greenham Stakes (1,400m) conqueror Jonquil heads up the British challenge for Andrew Balding, while one of last year’s top Irish juveniles, Hotazhell – who won the Group One Futurity Stakes (1,600m) at Doncaster – makes his reappearance for Jessie Harrington.

Graffard also has a strong hand in this race thanks to Sahlan, but he will need to reverse the form of the course and distance Group Three Prix de Fontainebleau, where he was headed on the post by the Mikel Delzangles-trained Ridari.

Godolphin, who remarkably won four Classics in the space of 24 hours last weekend, will rely on Aomori City to keep their incredible season rolling.

Meanwhile, Joseph O’Brien has confirmed that one of his stable stars, Al Riffa, will not be a part of the Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) field at Sha Tin on May 25.

It means that William Haggas’ Dubai Honour will be the only international shipper for the final Group One of the Hong Kong season.