MANDURO became the first French-trained winner of the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes in 33 years in 2007.

But this afternoon two more cross the Channel in Vision D’Etat and Never On Sunday with hopes of following in the hoofprints of Andre Fabre’s star.

The Eric Libaud-trained Vision D’Etat, who won the French Derby last year, grabbed his second Group One success in the Prix Ganay at Longchamp in April.

His connections are hopeful they can add a third in this afternoon’s 1m2f feature on the second day of Royal Ascot.

Libaud said: “The horse is in good form and has travelled over very well. He’s won on good ground before and he has won over 10 furlongs as well. It’s a very tough race but the horse is in very good form and he has been prepared for this race. There is very good competition and it is a new challenge which is unknown for us as we have never been to Ascot before. We will do our best and keep our fingers crossed.”

Never On Sunday also comes over and hails from current French training star Jean-Claude Rouget’s in-form stable.

Rouget has already won the French 1,000 Guineas, Derby and Oaks so far this season, and now the Pau-based handler is looking for his biggest overseas success with the talented grey.

Never On Sunday landed the Prix d’Ispahan last time and Rouget said: “The horse is very well. He arrived at Ascot on Monday evening and we are going into the race with confidence. All I hope is the ground is not going to be too fast.”