Christopher Head is already plotting a well-trodden route to Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend after Avec Toi made a serious impression on his debut in the Coolmore colours at Saint-Cloud on Tuesday.
The son of No Nay Never professionally made all for a clear-cut four-length success on his racecourse bow and with the trainer describing himself as “a man of habit”, the exciting colt will now follow a similar path taken by the handler’s star juvenile from last year, Nighttime.
Head said: “He is a cracking horse and a beautiful No Nay Never. It’s a pleasure to train him and he’s been tremendous throughout leading up to this first race.
“I was so happy to see him fly to the win like he did and we are expecting a lot from him for the season. He will next run on July 4 in the seven-furlong Listed Prix Roland de Chambure at Deauville.
“He’ll then go to races like the Prix Francois Boutin (Deauville, August 16) and Prix la Rochette (ParisLongchamp, September 6) and then the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (ParisLongchamp, October 4).
“Depending what the lads think about state of the races in UK and Ireland he could go over there and I do rely on their input when processing a programme, but the French route for him would be this.
“It’s the path I went with Nighttime and I am a man of habit – I need to keep my habits to feel OK.
“It’s a pleasure to train for Coolmore and I am so happy they have sent horses to my place and so happy to have this horse with them.”
Nighttime won both the Prix Francois Boutin and Prix la Rochette before finding just Puerto Rico too strong at ParisLonghcamp on Arc day last year and Head retains the utmost belief in the son of Wootton Bassett.
He was last seen finishing a three-length sixth behind Rayif in the French 2000 Guineas and will drop back to seven furlongs for the Group Two Prix Paul de Moussac at the same venue.
“He will run at ParisLongchamp on Sunday June 7 and he is doing great,” continued Head. “He has come out of the Poule d’Essai Des Poulains very well and I’m really happy with him.
“I’m looking forward to seeing him back over seven furlongs and if he runs well it could mean we go back to Group One company for the Prix Jean Prat.”
