Baie Des Iles lines-up in the Prix des Drags© Photo Healy Racing
Baie Des Iles is aiming for back-to-back wins in the Prix des Drags at Auteuil on Sunday.
The grey mare is a regular visitor back to her native land, given her love of soft ground, and trainer Ross O'Sullivan is hoping lightning can strike twice for her.
She had been due to run at the same course in last month's Grand Steeple Chase de Paris, the French Gold Cup, but was balloted out.
Willie Mullins also runs two, Total Recall and Isleofhopendreams.
"We are all really looking forward to Baie Des Iles trying to retain her crown in the Prix des Drags at Auteuil on Sunday," O’Sullivan told his Betway blog.
"She's in great form - we've been really happy with her over the past couple of weeks.
"She has done some work on the Curragh which has gone very well. She's working similarly to how she was before the race last year.
"With 13 runners declared, there are less to take on than there would have been in the Grand Steep. Paul Townend can't ride her, because he has to ride for Willie Mullins, so we’ve booked Sean Flanagan.
"It's certainly not going to be easy, but there's huge prize money up for grabs. Louisa Carberry's horse Docteur De Ballon won a trial and was then was unlucky in the Grand Steep. He could well start favourite."
O'Sullivan is banking on his mare's course form.
"Baie Des Iles absolutely loves Auteuil - she's won round there three times," he added.
"We hope when she gets back there she remembers where she is.
"Her form this season has been pretty good. It started quite slowly, and the Welsh National didn’t work out.
"(But) she ran well in the mares’ Listed chase at Naas and then would surely have won if she’d stayed on her feet at Down Royal.
"Obviously it was very frustrating to miss out on the Grand Steep, but she runs well fresh on the back of a break. I think she’s in similar form and well-being to last year.
"It’s going to be a very hard race to win again, but I’m happy and confident that there is nothing more we can do. She’s as well as we could have her."
Mullins is strongly represented in the Prix La Barka, with five of the nine runners as he bids for a fourth successive win in the race after Un De Sceuax, Shaneshill and Bapaume took the last three.
Thousand Stars also won it in 2012 and 2014, while David Pipe’s Ballynagour was successful in 2015 — and with Celestial Halo winning for Paul Nicholls in 2013, the last home winner was way back in 2011.
Joining Bapaume (Townend) are Mr Adjudicator (Bertrand Lestrade), Quick Grabim (Pierre Dubourg), Pravalaguna (Danny Mullins) and Stormy Ireland (Paddy Brennan).
Mullins also saddles French Made in the Grade 3 Prix Questarabad, with Paul Townend set to partner this daughter of Dream Well.
