3 minute read
Feature Race Review: G1 Grand Steeplechase de Paris.
| Date | Sunday 22 May 2022 |
| Venue | Auteuil (Heavy) |
| Race | R4 – G1 Grand Steeplechase de Paris (6000m) |
| Type | Steeplechase for five-year-olds and above |
| Winner | Sel Jem |
| Jockey | Johnny Charron |
| Trainer | H.Lageneste & G.Macaire |
| Breeding | Masked Marvel x Ile Des Saintes |
| Second | Gex |
| Third | Franco de Port |
At five, the joint youngest horse in the race Sel Jem won for the sixth time in his career and maintained his perfect place record when, landing the biggest steeplechase of the year in France – the €820,000 G1 Grand Steeplechase de Paris (6000m).
A roar from the large Auteuil crowd sent the sixteen runners on their journey that was to take in 23 fences. The early pace set by Général en Chef appeared to be strong considering the distance of the race and ground conditions. Most of the runners were in a good rhythm early before the first horse to exit the race was at the water jump in front of the stands where Road Mix Tavel unseated her rider.
Sel Jem was settled in the second half of the field in around tenth position and was jumping well under jockey Johnny Charron. At halfway, fifteen were still standing with around fifteen lengths covering the group.
On the final circuit, the order was still unchanged with Général en Chef leading Glorice with the winner creeping closer in sixth place, gradually making headway. Feu Follet made a big move just before the famous rail ditch and hedge, all negotiating safely.
Turning for home, Sel Jem loomed up powerfully to join Général en Chef and the Hector Lageneste & Guillaume Macaire trained five-year-old went to the front on landing at the double barrier, two out and then surged clear. With 200m to go he was three lengths ahead of the gallant Gex and the running on strongly Irish trained, Franco de Port but the son of Masked Marvel looked impressive powering clear for a runaway eight length victory.
This triumph has enhanced the recent record in the race for trainer, Guillaume Macaire who has now won four renewals of the race since 2016 (the previous three when a solo trainer). For the owner Mrs Patrick Papot, this was the family's third success in the race having previously won it with Bel La Vie in 2013 and On The Go in 2018.
Sel Jem holds an impressive career record of six wins and four placings from ten starts. This was a big step up in both class and distance, but through this victory as a five-year-old he has now been elevated to elite level at a young age and shown he is a leading jumper in France with this impressive top-level success.
