Dream team make French connection

Dream Day, who was a recent runner-up to Muthabara at Newbury, could be set an even greater challenge against wonder-filly Zarkava in the French 1000 Guineas.

Trainer Richard Hannon and owner Robert Barnett fancy the trip to Longchamp on May 11 with their charge, having surpassed her two-year-old efforts in the Fred Darling Stakes.

Sent off at 20-1, she was only beaten a length and a quarter by Muthabara, a leading contender for this Sunday’s 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The owner’s racing manager, Will Edmeades, said: “We have three possible options – the Pouliches (French Guineas), a race in Ireland and one at York - but Mr Barnett is keen to run in France.

“The Aga Khan’s filly (Zarkava) looks unbeatable. If Muthabara wins this weekend that might help, but a couple of the others who finished behind us at Newbury didn’t run terribly well this week.

“We will improve a lot for it. She was burly and woolly in her coat as she can’t be clipped.

“Possibly France is the favoured option and we’ll be looking to declare her on Tuesday.”