Witness Stand will be hoping to give trainers Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole a special day in Paris when he takes his place in Sunday’s 7f Group 1 Prix de la Foret.

The pair joined forces in 2023, diversifying Dr Richard Newland's jumps stable to become a dual-purpose yard. In only their second season training flat horses, Newland and Insole recorded a landmark Group 2 success in the Group 2 Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood with Witness Stand.

Purchased out of Tom Clover's yard for 100,000 guineas at the 2024 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale, Witness Stand had already proved successful over seven furlongs with a win in the Listed Dubai Duty Free Cup Stakes. Generally seen to best effect on a softer surface, the four-year-old gelding stepped up his form when taking the Group 2 Lennox Stakes before placing a useful second behind subsequent Group 1 winner More Thunder in the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.

Speaking on social media platform X (@UrloxheyStables), Insole described the feeling of winning at Goodwood:

"It was a superb week, to be congratulated by your peers and to be acknowledged as a Group 2 winning trainer is very special. Hopefully, we can keep building on that and everyone knows we're a professional outfit."

With solid form throughout the season, a trip to Longchamp for the Prix de la Foret was firmly on the agenda, with conditions expected to suit.

"I always thought that on an easier surface, over seven furlongs – that's when we were going to see him at his best," added Insole.

"Actually, he's ran three big races on good-to-firm ground throughout the summer and now we're suddenly going to get hopefully his perfect ground.

"He's had another good piece of work on Saturday and that should put him right for next week. The weather has been good for a couple of weeks, he's been getting out in the field every day which is great for his mind."

The Foret will mark a first Group 1 runner for the Urloxhey Stable-based team and they are looking forward to the challenge.

"It's going to be our first Group 1 runner. It's amazing that we can have a horse like this who can win a Group 2 in our second season training flat horses. To turn up to 'Arc' day with a serious contender, it's very special.

"We're looking forward to competing on the biggest stage in the world."