Soft-ground specialist Watching is to join the British contingent in the Prix de l`Abbaye at Longchamp next month.
Richard Hannon has pencilled in the five-furlong Group One contest for the colt following hisr solid run in the Victor Chandler Nunthorpe Stakes at York last month in which she finished fourth, just under three lengths behind the winner Nuclear Debate.
En route to France, Watching is to take in another Pattern contest, the Stillorgan Park Hotel Flying Five Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.
Commenting on his run at York, Hannon said: 'It confirmed that he`s in fine form and I think he deserves to have another crack at a Group race in France. He`s been beaten in two photos over there, first by Sampower Star and then by Nuclear Debate himself at Chantilly.
'While the Abbaye is the main objective we`ll have a look at Leopardstown and obviously the softer the ground the better it is for him.'
Hannon will also look to France for the next outing for his topmiler Cape Town, whom he feels was a shade unlucky when beaten by Medicean and Observatory in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood.
The trainer added: 'He was only beaten a couple of lengths and had to be switched, which didn`t help his cause.
'I do think he will be a much better four-year-old which is one of the reasons the owners have turned down a lot of money for him.
'For a next run we`ll probably drop him back in distance and have a crack at the Prix de la Foret over seven furlongs at Longchamp (October 15th).'
