French Fifteen confirmed himself a serious Classic contender with a striking seasonal debut in the Prix Djebel at Maisons-Laffitte.
The Nicolas Clement-trained colt won four times from six juvenile starts, signing off with victory in the Criterium International at Saint-Cloud in late October.
Ridden by Olivier Peslier in this seven-furlong Group Three, French Fifteen quickened up smartly to win decisively by a neck.
Abtaal was sent off the hot favourite having beaten French Fifteen comprehensively last year, but the tables were turned.
The second of the major trials on the Maisons-Laffitte card was the Prix Imprudence and this was won easily by Jean-Claude Rouget's Mashoora under Christophe Soumillon.
