Global Weekly Preview: Learning to love Classics on the Normandy coast

It has taken just 12 months, but the benefits of running the first two Classics of the French season at Deauville are becoming obvious.

Gone are the days when drawing high in either Guineas from the 1,600-metre start at Longchamp meant connections were basically wasting their time if winning was a priority.

A nice day out and a good lunch in Paris were really the best they could have hoped for in those circumstances.

But now, at Deauville, on the straight 1,600-metre (mile) track, there are no such worries. The main concern is drawing close to the speed, which is the case in most races on this straight course, the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois in August being the prime example.

Deauville is the temporary home to the Classics while construction of a new grandstand is completed at Longchamp.

Charlie Appleby ships over talented Godolphin colt Salsabeel for Sunday's G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains, thankful that apart from there being no apparent draw bias, the course is basically flat.

When Salsabeel was beaten at Newmarket last start, he found it difficult to cope with the run down into the dip about a furlong and a half out.

"The track just doesn't suit him," Appleby explained. "I was a little apprehensive about it before the race, but he confirmed that he doesn't like it there.

"Deauville is a more conventional track, and I expect him to be better suited. Overall, I thought he ran well last time, and he is in good order for this race," he added.

Salsabeel faces 12 rivals in a quality renewal of this French 2,000 Guineas. Included among them is Godolphin's Inns Of Court, who is unbeaten in two runs, which includes victory in the seven-furlong Prix Mogador, a small conditions contest, on his most recent outing.

Trainer Andre Fabre thinks highly of this progressive three-year-old. "He's taking a big step up in class, from a conditions race to G1, as well as trying the one-mile distance for the first time," the trainer said.

"But he's in very good form, and based on his homework, he should run a good race. However, the unknown remains his ability to stay a mile as he shows a lot of speed at home," he added.

Brametot impressed when coming from an impossible position to win last start, but there are colts already proven at the highest level, such as Rivet, winner of the G1 Racing Post Trophy, and National Defense, winner of the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

Ballydoyle are represented by Orderofthegarter and Peace Envoy, both promising colts.

The Pascal Bary-trained Senga heads the 18 runners contesting the fillies' Guineas, the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, at Deauville on Saturday.

The William Haggas-trained Cristal Fizz is a most interesting runner, as she displayed conspicuous potential in her two wins.

Appleby also sends Sobetsu to Deauville at the weekend for the G1 Prix Saint-Alary. "She's a filly we held in high regard last year. She's wintered well and this race will help sort out her plans for the remainder of the campaign," Appleby said.