All systems go for Ecrivain and French Guineas bid

Colt made highly promising return to action on Monday.

A big run is expected from Ecrivain in the French 2000 Guineas following his promising return to action.

The Carlos Laffon-Parias-trained colt was only behind surprise winner The Summit in the Prix de Fontainebleau at ParisLongchamp on Monday, a race that marked the return of Group One winner Victor Ludorum.

While Andre Fabre’s charge had no answer in third, in contrast Ecrivain made strong late progress to take the runner-up spot.

Pierre-Yves Bureau, racing manager to the Wertheimer family, said: “I was very pleased with the way he finished and it was a very good return after the winter. The French Guineas is in three weeks and I think that was a very good prep race.

“I really enjoyed the way he galloped at the end and it was very promising for the future. I like this colt.

“When he ran fourth to Victor Ludorum in the Lagardere last year he was not that far away, all the horses were close together and I think he has a very good chance.

“The way he finished it is a possibility he could stay further, but we will take it step by step. We will go to the Poulains (French Guineas) first and see what happens there.

“He looks very promising and confirmed his two-year-old campaign, so we were very pleased.”

Ladbrokes reported continued support for the son of Lope De Vega, cutting him to 5-1 from 8-1 for the French Classic, which is scheduled to be run on June 1.

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