O'Brien duo in French challenge

Aidan O'Brien will provide the sole overseas challengers for the Prix Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte on Sunday when he sends Colossus and Haydn for the Group Two contest.

British entries Majestic Missile (William Haggas) and Incise (Brian Meehan) are both defectors from the line-up.

Colossus made a good impression on his debut at the Curragh in March when winning his only start to date by a smooth half-length.

O'Brien has a habit of targeting that race with good material, and both Rock Of Gibraltar and Spartacus are past winners.

Haydn won first time out at Tipperary but was last in Listed company at the Curragh next time out.

The Irish pair take on the cream of the French juvenile division, including the unbeaten Pascal Bary-trained filly Much Faster.

Improving with every race, Much Faster is coming off a half-length win in the Group Three Prix du Bois, in which the re-opposing Leila was second.

Veri Star, who was fourth, seems held on that form, and a greater threat may be posed by Andre Fabre's beautifully bred filly Marching West, the winner of her only start to date.

Godolphin's Lateen Sails, fourth to Vespone in the Grand Prix de Paris, faces a less demanding task in the nine-furlong Group Three Prix Daphnis on the same card.

Frankie Dettori's mount is closely matched with Jipapibaquigrafo as only a head separated them in the Grand Prix.

Fabre's Modus Vivendi seems preferable to stablemate Streamix. Shakis is improving and may go well in a field rounded off by L'Archonte.