Lavery, Aidan O'Brien's Heinz 57 Phoenix Stakes hero, angles for his second Group One win in the televised (BBC 2) French 2,000 Guineas at Longchamp tomorrow.

Lavery (Mick Kinane) showed his well being by winning at Goodwood last Saturday and that run should have put him spot-on for his Parisian assignment.

The Irish raider may have most to fear from John Dunlop's English 2,000 Guineas third Mujahid, and the French juvenile champion of last season, Way of Light.

The latter was in dire need of his run (fifth) in the Group Three Prix de Fontainbeleau and he should be a lot tighter second time round.

Mujahid, beaten just over a length and a quarter into third behind Island Sands, a fortnight ago, heads a four-strong British challenge. He is the first Newmarket-placed colt to bid for the French 2,000 Guineas since Bin Ajwaad stepped up on his third to Zafonic in 1993 with a second to Kingmambo.

Richard Hills rides the John Dunlop-trained colt, with Ray Cochrane booked for European Free Handicap winner Bertolini - who was supplemented by John Gosden at a cost of 100,000 francs (£107,643).

Britain's team, bidding for a third win in four years after the triumphs of Vettori (1995) and Victory Note (1998) is completed by Brian Meehan's Indiana Legend (Pat Eddery) and Sir Mark Prescott's Triple Dash (George Duffield).

John Gosden's 1,000 Guineas third Valentine Waltz could prove the pick of the overseas quintet in the French 1,000 Guineas on the same card.

Godolphin's Fillies' Mile second Calando (Kinane) and Jeremy Noseda's French Listed winner Alexis also run.

O'Brien's Festival Hall (Jamie Spencer) and Godolphin's Al Waffi (Kinane) both have it do against the rising star, Montjeu, in the Group One Prix Lupin.

O'Brien's Black Rock Desert (Kinane) may not cope with the likes of Sainte Marine in the Group Three Prix de Saint-Georges.