French Racing - Review

3 minute read

Group One Review: Prix Renaud du Vivier.

Theleme maintained a solid career profile taking the feature four-year-old hurdle of the year when finding success at Auteuil on Sunday, pulling clear and proving a class above his rivals.

Hermès Baie, who was one of two who were strongly supported in the market set a slow yet sensible pace on the heavy ground to lead the six runner highlight race with the main danger and eventual winner, Thelème keeping the leader in close attendance one length behind in second place. As they raced past the enclosures with a circuit to go, it was single file traffic with ten lengths covering the field.

A random and unsettling moment occurred when top-class hurdler, Hermès Baie appeared to shy or jink away from the hedge as he raced to join the course-proper and unseated Bertrand Lestrade on the flat. Unfortunately the François Nicolle four year old continued to prove a danger running ahead of the remaining field.

With the competitors continuing their journey down the far side, there was enough room to keep a little space between the loose horse. Winning jockey, Pierre Dubourg provided top-quality horsemanship keeping Thelème settled and still within striking distance. Pace quickened quickly in a space of 300m as they turned for home.

The Arnaud Chaille-Chaille trained winner was driven two from home but had the class and speed to produce a massive leap at the final hurdle and powered clear on the grandstand rail pulling clear authoritatively to prove a class above his rivals giving the owners, Ec. Jdg Bloodstock Services another memorable result.

This 2020 champion three-year-old hurdler has now confirmed his dominance and gained the four year old title as well.