Oliver Cole hopes a change in tactics can reward leading prospect Silver Dominion in the The Aga Khan Studs Prix Francois Boutin (1400m) at Deauville on Saturday.

The Group 3 contest was the springboard for subsequent Poule d'Essai Des Poulains (1600m) winner Rayif last year, while Tiger Tanaka also went on to future top-level honours in the Prix Marcel Boussac (1600m).

Cole’s challenger is bidding to breakthrough at Group level after two promising efforts since a debut win at Newbury. The Gleneagles two-year-old was fourth in Newmarket’s Group 2 July Stakes (1200m) before running a length second in the Listed Pat Eddery Stakes (1400m) at Ascot.

Ridden forward but unable to match the finishing speed of winner Alfred Wallace at Ascot, connections could adopt more patient tactics for his fourth start, and first outside of Britain.

Cole said: “He’s come on nicely this season. He ran nicely last time and we’ve been very happy with him. If we had a bit of cover last time he could’ve performed better but he broke well and we were committed. I imagine we’d like some cover this time. We feel he’s improved a bit as well, he’s got plenty of speed and we’re very happy with him.”

Also among potential rivals is Alfred Wallace, finished ahead of Silver Dominion, while all eyes will be firmly on Coolmore’s Avec Toi for Christopher Head.

The No Nay Never colt has looked electric in two starts this season, following up a four-length demolition on debut at Saint-Cloud with a similar display in the Prix Roland de Chambure (1400m) on first try at Listed level over this course and trip. Exciting Listed winner Algebre could also be among the Christopher Head challenge, while the race sponsors could look to repeat Rayif’s success with Zakkan for Francis-Henri Graffard.

Charlie Appleby sends over his exciting Doncaster debut winner Jassas on the back of his impressive performance over a subsequent scorer.

Image: Scoop Dyga (Avec Toi )