Head has Solow primed for return

Solow will face five rivals when he makes his reappearance in the Prix Montjeu at Chantilly on Thursday.

The brilliant French-trained gelding, who lit up the QIPCO British Champion Series last year with three victories, used the mile conditions race as a stepping stone to glory last year and Freddy Head, his trainer, is keen to try and repeat the trick.

“It worked well last year running him in this so we thought we’d do it again,” Head said. “He’s a year older but he’s still the same, he hasn’t changed physically.

“This race suits him, he doesn’t have to give that much weight away. He won’t be 100 per cent as it is early March, but he’s not far off.”

Solow was flawless last year, winning all six of his races – the last five of which were in group one contests.

His Series victories came in the Queen Anne Stakes, Qatar Sussex Stakes and QIPCO-sponsored Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on British Champions Day.

“It’s hard to say what his best performance was last year, maybe the Queen Anne as that was his first time against world-class milers,” Head said.

“He goes on any ground. We always thought he wanted it soft but he proved in Dubai last year that isn’t the case.”

Solow is expected to have a similar programme to last year, which means British fans will get several more chances to admire the striking six-year-old.