Bassett set for French assignment

Longchamp remains the most likely port of call for Wootton Bassett after he maintained his unbeaten record at Doncaster last week.

The youngster made it four wins from four starts in the lucrative Weatherbys Insurance £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes and trainer Richard Fahey is now eyeing a step up to Pattern-race company.

The Group One Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere is his preferred option on October 3, although Newbury’s Horris Hill Stakes is a possible alternative.

“He’s in great order and has taken the race well. He just had a canter back this morning and seems fine,” said the Malton handler.

“He battled away well and it was grand. He’s quite a relaxed horse and looked like getting beat for two strides, but he pulled it out of the bag and won it well in the end.

“I am swaying towards the French race for him next as I don’t really want to come back to six furlongs at this stage, as it looks as though he stays well.

“There is also the Horris Hill Stakes over seven at Newbury (October 23). That’s a Group Three and I’ll look at that as well. We’ll see how he is but it will be one of those.

“You can get a bit of cut in the ground at Longchamp and you never know until you try it, but I don’t think soft ground would bother him.

“It looks as though he’d just have one more run this year and he should strengthen up over the winter.”