3 minute read
Thyme Hill Targets Grand Prix d'Automne.
Winner of the G1 Stayers' Hurdle (4900m) at Aintree (UK) in April, Thyme Hill is one of the most exciting young staying hurdlers in the division for the 2021/22 season. For his seasonal reappearance, trainer Philip Hobbs has made the decision to send his stable star to France for the competitive G1 Grand Prix d'Automne (4800m) at Auteuil on Saturday 6 November. We talk to the trainer about his past experiences in France and the reasoning behind his decision…
You've had a few runners in France before – what was your experience?
We had a brilliant time at Craon [with Balthazar King], they looked after us really well and all the people there were a great help so that was particularly good. We've enjoyed our times over there. We actually took a few horses down to Cagnes-sur-Mer [in the South of France] and we were hoping the ground was going to be good but it rained non-stop.
And Auteuil?
The experience of having a winner was obviously very good with Zizaneur [in October 2020]. Garde La Victoire was probably unlucky to bump into one [when second in the Listed Prix Claude le Lorrain in 2017]. So we're hoping Thyme Hill will run very well on Saturday.
Thyme Hill had an excellent season last year, has he improved over the summer?
He's at the age where he shouldn't be improving but he is in particularly good order and hope he will run very well.
What made you target the G1 Grand Prix d'Automne (4800m)?
There were two of three things. Number one – the time period between going to France and the Long Walk Hurdle [at Ascot] was better than going to Newbury. The second reason – we do have the French Champion Hurdle [Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil] in May on our agenda and therefore to run him in Auteuil now gives him a chance to see how it will all work, which is important. And thirdly, the prize money.
Would the prize money encourage you to take more horses to France this season?
You need the right horse for the right race at the right time. If there were good options, we would certainly be looking into it.
Who will ride Thyme Hill on Saturday?
Tom O'Brien who rode him to win the Grade One at Aintree. He knows the horse very well and he has ridden at Auteuil a couple of times.
What are your thoughts on the opposition – L'Autonomie, Paul's Saga…?
It will be a tough race, of course. I would hope on the ratings we've seen, we still have a chance.