Fifteen stakes Classic claim

French Fifteen confirmed himself a serious Classic contender with an impressive seasonal debut in the Prix Djebel at Maisons-Laffitte.

The Nicolas Clement-trained colt won four times from six juvenile starts, signing off with victory in the Criterium International at Saint-Cloud in late October.

Ridden by Olivier Peslier in this seven-furlong Group Three, French Fifteen quickened up smartly to win decisively by a neck.

Abtaal was sent off the hot favourite having beaten French Fifteen comprehensively last year, but the tables were turned.

Coral were impressed by the winner's performance, halving him in price to 10-1 from 20-1 for the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 5.

"French Fifteen is the first of the leading 2000 Guineas contenders to prove his wellbeing on the track, and should connections send him to Newmarket, on that evidence he would be a major contender," said Coral's David Stevens.

The second of the major trials on the Maisons-Laffitte card was the Prix Imprudence and this was won easily by Jean-Claude Rouget's Mashoora under Christophe Soumillon.

She is a best priced 16-1 for the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 6.