Dubai: Team Godolphin descend on Deauville, the equine paradise on the Normandy coast in France, in a bid to win the first Classics of the French racing season with a pair of horses who are held in high regard by their respective handlers.

North Yorkshire-based Irish handler Richard Fahey saddles Birchwood, who makes his much-anticipated seasonal re-appearance since finishing a dazzling third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Keeneland, USA, last October, in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas), a race that Godolphin have won thrice in the past with Shamardal (2005), Bachir (2000) and Vettori (1998).

French maestro Andre Fabre pins his hopes on unbeaten Come Alive as he seeks a personal fourth victory in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1,000 Guineas) following successes with Golden Lilac (2011), Musical Chimes (2003) and Houseproud (1990).

The French Classics are being held at Deauville because their traditional venue at Longchamp is undergoing a massive makeover.

Birchwood will be ridden James Doyle while France-based Mickael Barzalona takes the ride on Come Alive in the fillies’ equivalent, which Godolphin are hoping to win for the first time.

John Ferguson, Godolphin’s racing manager and chief executive, said: “Birchwood is a horse who has been pleasing Richard Fahey at home. He took him to Newcastle for a racecourse gallop and he performed well.

Writing in his column on Sportinglife Fahey described Birchwood, who was only beaten by a neck by Hit It A Bomb and Airoforce in the Breeders’ Cup last season, as his “highest profile runner of the weekend.”

“He’s a very hard horse to get an angle on as he’s never been the greatest worker at home but I do know he’s very fit and very well,” Fahey said.

“I took him to Newcastle for a racecourse gallop and was delighted with him there – that’s what kicked me into gear to get him going and head here.

“It’s a Classic so is obviously a very tough race. It’s a straight mile and I hope he stays, if he does he wouldn’t be without a chance.

“He will be in a good place when he turns up for the Guineas on Sunday.”

Birchwood faces 13 rivals headed by three strong French contenders in Alain Royer De Dupre’s unbeaten Zarak, the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained Zeizal and George Patton, who represents Jean-Claude Rouget.

Come Alive also faces 13 rivals among them British raiders Nathra and Besharah who represent Dubai connections.

Nathra is trained by John Gosden for Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah, whose family sponsors the $2 million (Dh7.34 million) UAE Derby (G2) at Meydan while William Haggas trains Besharah for Shaikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum.