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The Criterium International returns to 1600m after two years of conducting the race over the shorter 1400m.

A select field of seven colts have been engaged for a race that does produce horses good enough to run and be placed in the spring Classics and progress to score at Group level.

This year a case can be made for all runners. The traditional trial race, the G3 Prix Byron Thomas (1600m) was conducted three weeks ago and this year Normandy Bridge made it two from two scoring on heavy ground – similar to what he will face on Saturday. International runners are headed by the Godolphin owned and Charley Appleby trained La Barossa who is also undefeated after two races and last time scored over 1400m in a Group Three at Newmarket. The stable has had an excellent season when sending runners to France for Group races. Another horse worth considering is Jadoomi from the Newmarket based Simon Crisford yard who faces a significant step up in class but could not have been any more impressive when ploughing through the heavy track to win the valuable Sales race on Arc weekend.

For the future stayers, the Criterium de St Cloud is the longest Group One race globally for two-year-olds (2000m). A competitive race has been assembled with seven of the eight runners last start winners.

The Aga Khan owned Makaloun is the horse to beat. He remains undefeated in four race starts and has improved with each experience. Winner of the G3 Prix de Conde over 1800m at Chantilly in late September, he does look to be a stayer for the future. No horse has won both the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac (1600m) and this contest, however, the filly Tiger Tanaka will be attempting the unique double to create history. She too will handle the track conditions, as she stayed on well at Longchamp and could run out the trip. Trainer Aidan O'Brien has used this race in the past as a launching-pad for his Classic stayers of the future and this year he has elected to elevate last start 1600m maiden winner Bolshoi Ballet into this Group One contest.

On Sunday, the stayers have their final opportunity for a Group One prize in the Prix Royal-Oak (3100m). Horses from France, United Kingdom and Ireland have been assembled with the G1 Prix Cadran (4000m) winner Princesse Zoe returning to the track of her crowning moment three weeks ago attempting to make it back-to-back Group One victories. The promising Aga Khan owned Valia was impressive winning the G2 Prix Chaudenay (3000m) on Arc weekend and does receive a weight allowance.