3 minute read

Preview: Prix de Bourgogne.

The Prix de Bourgogne (G2) is the fifth Qualifying race for the Prix d'Amérique Legend Race (G1). It is the headline event at Vincennes on Sunday. Run over 2100m, it is also a key qualifying contest for the Prix de France Speed Race (G1) over course and distance in mid-February.

There are three important elements to seek out in this race:

The barrier draw

Mobile-Autostart experience

Previous success in speed races

All are key to finding the winner.

This week the focus is on these points to zero in on those horses with the best statistical records.

Best Record – Course and Distance

• Fine Colline – 4/5 – 80%
• Hanna des Molles – 3/5 – 60%
• Hussard du Landret – 3/3 – 100%
• Decoloration – 3/4 – 75%
• Gu d'Heripre – 4/6 – 67%

Best Record – Mobile-Autostart

• Herault d'Armes – 3/5 – 60%
• Hanna des Molles – 6/10 – 60%
• Hussard du Landret – 6/7 – 86%
• Hirondelle Sibey – 4/6 – 67%
• Gu d'Heripre – 7/11 – 64%

Best Record – Top Three Placings at Vincennes

• Fine Colline – 13/21 – 62%
• Hanna des Molles – 15/24 – 62%
• Gu d'Heripre – 19/28 – 68%
• Hooker Berry – 25/35 – 71%

Best Record – Top Three Placings Travelling Anticlockwise

• Gu d'Heripre – 25/37 – 68%
• Hooker Berry – 30/45 – 67%

Best Record – Top Three Placings 2022

• Hooker Berry – 9/15 – 60%
• Etonnant – 8/11 – 73%

Best Record – Top Three Placings Under Shoeing Combination

• Hanna des Molles – 14/18 – 78%
• Gu d'Heripre – 11/18 – 61%
• Hooker Berry – 17/24 – 71%

From these raw statistics the following horses come out on top:

• Gu d'Heripre – 5/6
• Hanna des Molles – 4/6
• Hooker Berry – 4/6

On form can one of these three horses win?

Gu d'Heripre

• Last win was four starts ago in June in a G2
• Best win – Critérium Continental (G1) in 2022
• Other outstanding piece of form is third in this years' Prix d'Amerique Legend Race (G1)
• Personal Best 1'10"1
• Current form is a little below his best but is racing under his favoured conditions
• Benjamin Rochard announced as the new driver

Hanna Des Molles

• Last start winner of a mounted G2 two weeks ago
• Best win – Critérium des 3 ans (G1) in 2020
• Other outstanding pieces of form is second in the Critérium des 4 ans in 2021
• Personal Best – 1'11"1
• Current driven form is poor, and little shown since a provincial G3 placing in April

Hooker Berry

• Last start winner of the Prix du Bourbonnais (G2) three weeks ago. This was his best career performance
• Group One record shows five placings – but is yet to win at elite level
• Personal Best – 1'10"5
• Jean-MIchel Bazire stable is operating on a 20% strike rate

This is an outstanding heat of the Prix de Bourgogne (G2). No horse will have their own way with all runners aiming to qualify for the three big Group One races, and for some, notably the Prix de France in mid-February. A case can be made for many of the entrants with proven Group One winners and quality international runners going against the home-team.