3 minute read
News In Brief of French Racing.
Horse racing Fans were presented with both quality and quantity during the past week in French racing which included one of the biggest day's in jump racing at Auteuil plus much more across all codes…
Jumps
Last Sunday all eyes were focused on Auteuil as they staged a fixture of black type events which included the two big Group One contests. The programme was run on heavy ground.
Trainer François Nicolle gained a one-two in the opening Listed Prix Général Donnio Steeplechase (4400m) for five-year olds and older. Blasimon saved as much ground as possible throughout when settling on the inside. The six-year-old had to find plenty to overtake stablemate, Lou Buck's and just managed to get up in the final 100m.
Paul's Saga followed up his G1 Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil (5100m) win by taking the G3 Prix Carmarthen hurdle (3900m) for jockey and trainer combination Kévin Nabet and David Cottin. The grey six-year-old mare showed no signs of concern and simply outclassed her rivals. Sire, Martaline now stands with 125 stakes winners.
Hôtesse du Chênet was a comfortable and classy winner of the G2 Prix Bournosienne Hurdle (3600m) for three-year olds fillies. Jockey Ludovic Philipperon and trainer Marcel Rolland gained a notable success. This gave her the hat trick after the October G3 Prix Magne, and in September the G3 Prix de Chambly both over the same track and trip. A promising future star.
The first of the two feature Group One events did not disappoint with jockey Thomas Coutant and trainer Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé maintaining their great form. The G2 Prix Georges de Talhouët-Roy hurdle (3600m) winner Thélème followed up at the same course and distance delivering an authoritative success in the G1 Prix Cambacérès - Grande Course de Haies des 3 Ans hurdle (3600m) by ten lengths. Raffles Face finished second and Baladin de Mesc was third.
Thomas Coutant and Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé gained a quick-fire double in the G2 Prix Congress Steeplechase (3600m) for three-year olds as the son of Saint des Saints, Magic Dream showed a determined attitude after the final fence to pass his rivals in a busy finish. This promising contender jumped in great style throughout.
The Listed Prix Count Schomberg Handicap Hurdle (3600m) for five-year olds and older went the way of Anouma Freedom. The nine-year-old gelding finished off strongly and powered away for a four-length victory.
Le Berry maintained his excellent record in fantastic style making a seventh visit to the winner's enclosure in eight outings with Kévin Nabet and David Cottin gaining glory in the G1 Prix Maurice Gillois - Grand Steeplechase des 4 Ans (4400m). This time the son of Gémix had to fight it out towards the final obstacle but then his class was unleashed producing another strong performance by drawing eight lengths clear. A very exciting four-year-old.
The Coutant and Chaillé-Chaillé team finished the day with a treble when winning the Listed Prix Bernard Sécly Hurdle (3600m) for four and five-year olds. Loradame duelled against La Doix and with 150m to go, the former found an extra gear to pull away.
Flat
Last Tuesday, the Listed Prix Isola Bella - Fonds Européen de l'Elevage (1600m) for fillies and mares three year and older at Saint Cloud went the way of Galova for jockey Anthony Crastus and trainer Cédric Boutin. The three-year-old daughter of Galiway went one place better after racing in the Listed Prix Charles Laffitte (2000m) at Compiegne in October.
The second Black Type contest on Tuesday at Saint Cloud was the Listed Prix Solitude (2000m) for three-year-old fillies who have not won a Group race since April 1, 2020. Control Tower held on for victory to follow up an Angers class two success.
Chantilly's feature race on Friday was the Listed Grand Prix du Nord (2000m) for three-year olds as an opener to the card. Anodin sired his fifth individual stakes winner with Hayzum scoring in style by five and half lengths. The Elias Mikhalides trained colt holds two placings which has now produced winning Black type form for Hayzum.
On soft ground, Lyon Parilly hosted the Listed Prix du Grand Camp (2400m) for three-year olds and above where Good Question prevailed for jockey Anthony Crastus and trainer Christophe Escuder. Carrying a weight penalty, the five-year-old gelding went one place better after a runner up effort in the Listed Grand Prix De Nantes (2400m) at Nantes two weeks ago.
Trotting
Nantes hosted the G3 Grand National du Trot (Grand Prix de Loire-Atlantique) (3000m) for five to ten-year olds last Wednesday. The barefooted eight-year-old, Crusoé d'Anama added to Jean-Michel Bazire's tally of group winners as he kept his rivals at bay down the home straight. Jean-Michel Bazire achieved a notable triumph in this highlight contest with this being his fourth consecutive victory in this G3 series. The Final of the series will be held on Sunday 6 December at Vincennes.
The well supported Boss du Meleuc kept up the good run for driver Alexandre Abrivard and trainer Yannick-Alain Briand. The barefooted four old year old was always ready to tackle the leader in the final 200m and went by in the final strides for a narrow victory at Vincennes in the G2 mounted Prix Reynolds (2175m) for five-to-ten-year olds. The nine-year-old son of Lucky Blue previously took glory in the G2 mounted Prix Camille Lepecq at the same course and distance.
