Garter Ready For French Exam

Aidan O'Brien has been pleased with Orderofthegarter ahead of his tilt at the Poule D'Essai Des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) at Deauville on Sunday.

The son of Galileo has already come on in leaps and bounds this season with impressive victories at Naas and Leopardstown.

"We were delighted with his runs from the first to the second day and we're delighted with him really," said O'Brien, who opted against running former top two-year-old Caravaggio but is also responsible for Peace Envoy as he goes for a fifth win in the race.

Criquette Head-Maarek expects National Defense to improve on his seasonal debut.

While all of his three runs as a two-year-old were over a mile, including his Group One success in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, his prep outing for the Classic was over seven furlongs.

Though he had to play second fiddle in the Prix Djebel to Al Wukair, who went on to finish third in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, his trainer was pleased with the display.

"The other day when he came back the trip was a little short for him. He ran a good race. He's improved from that race quite a lot physically and he's been working quite nicely," said Head-Maarek.

"We've got Monsieur (Christophe) Soumillon to ride him as his regular jockey (Pierre-Charles Boudot) is riding (Le Brivido) for his trainer (Andre Fabre). I don't think that's a disadvantage.

"Everything is OK. My horse is well and we'll see."

William Haggas reports Rivet to be in tip-top shape and would welcome any rain for last year's Racing Post Trophy winner.

The son of Fastnet Rock showed his well-being with a promising run on his seasonal debut when second to Eminent in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket last month.

"He'll run a good race. He's in good form," said Haggas.

Michael Dods has a rare runner in a race of this nature but in Kings Gift he has a colt who has shown decent form in Pattern events.

The son of Casamento showed he was not out of place in strong company when fourth to last weekend's 2000 Guineas runner-up Barney Roy in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury.

"He obviously ran a good race at Newbury and we think another furlong with a bit of cut in the ground will suit him," said Darlington-based Dods.

"The Newbury form has worked out very well with the two horses running well in the Guineas last weekend, so we'll see what he can do on Sunday.

"It's a very tough race, but Geoff (Turnbull, owner) likes to have a go and it would be great if he could pick up some black type in a Group One race."