I do think the modern day racing jumps fans acknowledges that there is a lot that we should try and learn about the foreign invaders, and I think we had to do with the resurgence of point to pointing as a nursery ground for future chasing stars.  Those of you who know me are aware that I do have a good knowledge of this sphere, however I don't think we all the other things I do on the website, I could do it justice.  That's how I got to know Christopher Iles via The Winning Post Forum (www.winning-post.com) who being a regular visitor to France, has a very good background on their scene can give it the focus I think it deserves.  I know Christopher is contemplating doing his own website, however before he does so, over the coming months, Christopher, (and whenever I can) will be trying to keep you in touch with what occurring on in France. as well as pointing some names to watch out for.

"AU REVOIR, GALANT MOSS"
Galant Moss made it two wins from two trips back to his native France since joining the Martin Pipe stable when lifting the Prix Hubert d'Aillieres on 5th April in the hands of French champion jump jockey Christophe Pieux. In comparison to his runs in this country where he struggles to lay handy, Martin Pipe's runner jumped economically, and was always well up with the pace racing wide on the onside of the field. It was evident that with two to go Galant Moss was travelling the best and once the field straightened off of the final turn, Galant Moss skipped over the final two obstacles before outpacing his rivals in the final of the two-mile, two-furlong hurdle to win cosily by five lengths clear of Grand Canal and the fancied Spanish Wells. 

Connections spoke on French Television of Galant Moss' failure to fully adapt to English hurdles and as he is now high in the handicap in England, they thought that he would be better off staying in France. I believe he will now stay there, and join Stephane Kalley's stable, where it's possible he'll be aimed at the Grande Course de Haies (French champion hurdle). I am slightly surprised that Martin Pipe has let him go, ... I mean Luca Cumani has campaigned Endless Hall with great success overseas from "home"... that said, on what I witnessed today, Galant Moss is far happier "back home" and can only flourish in that environment 


FOCUS ON FRANCE
Saturday, 6th April 2002

SAINT DES SAINTS
I have been more than pleased with the level of success achieved by our ONE TO JUMP feature, however if I had to single out two notable "achievers", then Ilnamar and Saint Des Saints would be near to the top of my list.

Ilnamar has finally begun to fulfill the promise shown as a four year old in France, winning the Coral Cup with embarrassing ease, before landing Saturday's Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle (it'll be interesting to see whether he goes chasing next term... odds against we suggest!!!). Arguably though (in my humble view) Saint Des Saints betters his recent achievements. 

I though it would be novel to have a three year old chaser in our list so having this son of Cadoudal and Tempo d'Or win over fences at Enghien in early October, it made sense to add them to the list. You will no doubt be familiar with Tempo d'Or' s exploits however Saint Des Saints meteoric rise has been overlooked. 

It was his win in the Prix Petit Bob (Chase) in November that initially grabbed the attention of french jumping fans. He jumped really well, eventually beating La Zingarella by eight lengths. He turned out three weeks later in the Prix Fifrelet (Hurdle) (Handicap), where he gave weight and "a thumping" to eighteen rivals including Wesley Snypes, (who finished seventh in the JCB Triumph Hurdle). Unsurprisingly after that performance Guilliame Macaire upped him in grade on his next start, and whilst we were enjoying the delights of Cheltenham, Saint Des Saints again gave weight to his rivals in the Prix Jacques d'Indy (Hurdle) {Gr. 3} yet still beat the highly regarded Cybergenic by eight lengths, with La Zingarella another six lengths back in third, and the hitherto "invincible" Kotika behind in fourth. He cemented his position near the very top of the juvenile division in France, when cruising to victory in the Prix de Pepinvast (Hurdle) {Gr. 3} on April Fool's day, with Kotika again well held in second. 

In a way I'm not surprised that Saint Des Saints had shown such improvement... he possesses bags of scope and still has plenty of growing to do. At this stage of the season, he looks very difficult to beat, and he must have strong claims in the Championship events later on in the summer... We will continue to report his progression

FOCUS ON FRANCE
Saturday, 6th April 2002

A FASCINATING (AND EVENTFUL) DAY'S RACING AT AUTEUIL.
Vic Toto, who made all to take the Prix Juigne Course De Haies {Gr.3}, will no doubt make the main headlines. I take back my comment about his recent race on the flat in my preview of the race, as that bit of race fitness made all the difference as it allowed his jockey to be aggressive from the start. He built up a commanding lead by halfway, and was able to get a breath in before the final turn ... that was as close as his rivals got, as he stayed on very strongly to win by approximately six lengths, from Tiger Groom, who stayed on really well to be second (running far better than he has of late).

A few of these jockeys were caught napping, the worse offender without doubt was the pilot on my selection Fou Du Roy V, who gave the winner far to much leeway ... on this evidence though he wouldn't have beaten the winner in any case. With the likes of Barracouda, Le Sauvignon, and Magnus likely to be unavailable for similar races, Vic Toto is going to be very difficult to beat in these type of events ... His win puts into some perspective his win in the Prix Alain du Breil (Hurdle) (Gr. 1) last June when he beat Bilboa by 20lengths...

There was a dramatic conclusion to the Prix Robert De Clermont-Tonnerre Steeple Ch. {Gr.3} ... Rougénoir (another given an aggressive ride) had all his rivals beat bar Double Car, who had just moved into the lead when stepping at the last fence, and taking a horrible looking fall. Rougénoir was left clear, and held on from Paladin, who made up steady headway to snatch second. He (bar Double Car) made the lasting impression of this field. You'll be pleased to know that Double Car got up and galloped away perfectly sound

The day opened with a fascinating renewal of the Prix Duc D'Anjou Steeple Ch. {Gr.3}, won by Escort Boy, who dictated affairs from the front, and strode away strongly from Kakao du Mathan who did well to get so close jumping poorly, and Malhado Island, who looked in need of the run, and paid for a sloppy jump three out. Malhado Island, was rated significantly better than Escort Boy before today, so it clear to that he is on the upgrade... whether he'd beat Malhado Island, when that rival is fully wound up is open to debate.

Guillame Macaire's Domirome was a non runner ... a shame as we could have used his to gauge French and British form... you'll be interested to know though that the principals in this race were up rated better than Domirome, and Tempo d'Or over hurdles in the recently published French ratings... they themselves were rated inferior to Kittitas (best juvenile hurdler) & Saint Des Saint (best juvenile chaser, whose is in our horses to follow feature) ... puts into some perspective just how good these two were in their respective divisions


FOCUS ON FRANCE
Tuesday, 5 March 2002

SUBEHARGUES IS A POSSIBLE FOR THE MARTELL CUP 
Guillaume Macaire has confirmed that he may send his seven-year-old Subehargues for the Martell Cup (Gr.1) at Aintree's National Meeting

Third in the Prix Maurice Gillois Grand Steeple-Chase des 4 ans (Gr. 1) in November 1999, Subehargues has only had two runs since, finishing a highly encouraging second to Kimbi (subsequently beaten by Magnus three times) in the Prix Air Landais (Chase) at Auteuil at the beginning of April 2001, before going back three week later to land the Prix du President de la Republique (Handicap Chase) (5yo+), a valuable handicap chase.

I am a little surprised that he wasn't entered up in some of our better races handicaps (that said, neither were Bipbap, and Douze Douze, equally as useful) and that may have been partly due to the virus that had been affecting the yard at the end of last year. 

He made a satisfactory return to the course when winning over hurdles at Bordeaux les Bouscat yesterday, and assuming he ruins creditably at Auteuil in tens days time will be entered at Aintree. He could be interesting as he may be favoured by the conditions of that race

"He'll have another run at Auteuil over hurdles in ten days' time and if the result is okay I will make some entries in England. He could go for the something like the Martell Cup because I am sure he will be absolutely top-class." 

FOCUS ON FRANCE
Sunday, 03 March 2002

NEGRO SHOWS PLENTY OF PROMISE WHEN WINNING AT PISA

I watch watching the rerun of racing at Pisa yesterday and saw another horses that I though would acquit himself well if he were bought to race over here (We'll have to change the name of this feature to "FOCUS ON EUROPE" at this rate!!) 

The horse in question was called Negro, an extremely attractive black four-year-old gelding by the sire Don Corleone (not one I'm familiar with). Not sure of his history before this race, as he appears to have been trained in Germany. But was making his second start in Italy, after finishing third to Former Golden, and Pax Britannica in the Pr. Fougeray Anthony Julien at Capannelle in November. 

It was hard not to like the performance, as Negro travelled sweetly throughout the race, whilst pacesetter Lovelly Tessy set a strong pace. Turning for home these two had the race between them, though Negro was going by far the best when Lovelly Tessy stepped at the second last and came down, leaving the winner to come alone. A winner distance of 10lengths greatly flatters the second and third, and it wouldn't surprise me if he want onto better thing7s, wherever he races.

A word about Lovelly Tessy's fall, one of the worst I've seen at brush hurdles (though it was called a fence). The horse stepped at it and turned full circle, knocking his pilot up stone cold !!!. It isn't unusual when showing a replay for the Italian broadcasters to zoom in on the principals showing them duelling over the last couple of furlongs or so... as a result I was "treated" to a close-up of poor Lovelly Tessy flipping over whilst her poor pilot was hurled into ground ... out for the count before the horse added final injury by striking out as it tried to right itself. After reading this you'll be pleased to know that bought horse and jockey live to fight another day ... though the hapless jockey may be having an enforced break to get over the experience. 


FOCUS ON FRANCE
Friday, 01 March 2002

GRAN CORSA DI SIEPI DI ROMA HURDLE 

Capannelle on Sunday held the 2002 renewal of the Gran Corsa di Siepi di Roma (Hurdle) - a conditions hurdles for five year olds+ over two and a half miles. This race had some significance over here, as this race was intended to ensure that German raider San Suru was spot on for our Champion Hurdle. In opposition, were Dom Lyphard, a useful handicap hurdler/chaser in France, who had seized on the opportunity to plunder prizes in Italy, taking advantage of the decent prize money on offer (its amazing that British trainers haven't followed suit). Also in the line-up was Sardoum, also trained in France, who had been placed on his recent starts at Auteuil. his main claim to fame though is that he beat Fondmort over hurdles, just before the horse joined Nicky Henderson. 

The home challenge was led by Bagni Di Petriolo, a recent winner over course and distance; Coogan; formally with Paul Cole on the flat, who has respectable form in Italy, Scachmatt; formerly trained Luca Cumani who had beaten Coogan last time out, and German bred Macleod, who was unbeaten over obstacles in Italy, and had run creditably behind Rising Generation (now with Nicky Richards) at Nantes on his most recent start.

Despite not having raced since September 2001, Dom Lyphard was sent off favourite, however he always had a very distant view of Bagni Di Petriolo, who to the delight of the home crowd, broke smartly and galloped this smart field into the ground. He was always at least fifteen lengths clear of his rival (sometimes further) and despite the French raiders looking dangerous on the turn for home, Bagni Di Petriolo quickened again over the first in the straight, and put the matter beyond doubt. He popped the last two obstacles to win with plenty in hand. Sardoum stayed on nicely to take second, whilst Dom Lyphard, (who gave the winner 11lbs) was a honourable third. San Suru wasn't ever competitive and was easily held off by Dom Lyphard after the final flight - hardly the boost connections were looking for with Cheltenham in mind. 

FIRST FOUR HOME. 
1st - Bagni Di Petriolo (ITY), trained by F Contu in Italy 
2nd - Sardoum (FR), trained by F Rohaut in France 
3rd - Dom Lyphard (FR), trained by Y Fertillet in France
4th - San Suru (GER), trained by Mario Hofer in Germany 

I really like the winner, who is a six-year-old son of the American sire Nordance. He reminds me of Le Moss, or Light Cavalry, and has a similar style of using his stride (he is a resolute galloper, and gave the impression that softer ground would suit). He must be one the best hurdlers in Italy, but possesses plenty of scope and would make a lovely chaser. With all the moment floating around in France at the moment, British buyers could do themselves a favour and "detour" and have a look at him !!!.

Whilst over there, they could also have a look at Bimbodellesorgenti, a four-year-old son of Classic Secret who doesn't appear to have shown much when raced on the flat, but simply toyed with the opposition here on what appears to have been his hurdles debut.... I'd be surprised if he didn't go onto better things. 

T.H.E. R.O.O.K. - FOCUS ON FRANCE 
Tuesday, 19 February 2002

HEROS COLLONGES MISSES THE REST OF THE SEASON

Heros Collonges is out for the season with an injury, according to today's Paris-Turf. Guillaume Macaire believes Japhet lost last Saturday through not being fully prepared for the race - like First Gold at the same meeting last year.... I wonder, though. His four year old opponents (bar Jimmy Cricket) last autumn did not seem a particularly strong group, and perhaps his winning sequence looks better now than it will in a few months' time... we'll know more next time out. 

The French press seem to be talking up this Escort Boy for the four-year-old chases in the spring. He was ordinary on the level, however he has impressed in taking two races at Pau, and is capable of this evidence of holding in own at Auteuil/Enghien. 

FOCUS ON FRANCE 
Friday, 15 February 2002

THE FUTURE OF JUMPING AT CAGNES-SUR-MER 

Whilst I am a great fan of the brush hurdles, recently introduced at places like Southwell and Wolverhampton, and more recently Haydock and Worcester, I noted with interest the recent report into the recent event of fatalities at Cagnes Sur Mer. On 24 January, officials from the course plus leaders trainers including Jean-Paul Gallorini, and Gerard Collet thrashed out their views of the viability of jumping at Cagnes, particularly because of the number of accidents to both horses and jockeys during the last meeting

After a frank (and sometimes heated debate) it was decided that certain obstacles would undergo some modifications before next winter. Other recommendations were that: -

• The bars on all of the hedges will be round and more gorse, and will precede a small synthetic hedge by forty centimetres, as in Auteuil, in order to make the obstacle more inviting. 
• In addition, the last hedge, which was a mobile obstacle, will become a fixed hedge, since only the jumpers use this track. 
• Lastly, all the hedges will be bevelled on a score of centimetres; so that the horses can touch the top of the obstacles, without being unbalanced... as they were to it so often this winter. 
• The race distances, except for the races for 3 years, may be lengthened; however this is still under review.
  

Having watched some of their recent meetings I'd have to say that I am in agreement with these suggestions. Cagnes-Sur-Mer's national hunt course is particularly tight, and with obstacles placed on the bends horses (even on slower ground tend to be travelling a stride too fast for their own good. On fast ground these decreases the level of safety, which appeared to result in three of the fatalities I've seen there.

I noted especially their recommendation about the removal of portable obstacles, which despite padding hide metal frames. Courses like Pau and Auteuil have permanently sited obstacles which apart from looking far more attractive are more inviting, certainly that the metal frame obstacles that first graced our tracks.

A cause for worry over here.

Aintree, I believe are contemplating trying our brush hurdles later on this season because their believe that that these may encourage horses to slow down (they already have a high mortality rate on the course). This may in part succeed, (they certainly will do on a wetter surface) however thinking about what I seen occur at Southwell and Wolverhampton, where in the main, bad horses have winged round these tracks, course officials could do well to have a look at Cagnes Sur Mer's solutions to their problems

The Way Ahead

I think the powers that be need to decide once and for all whether they consider national hunt racing important, as they are keen to invest in all weather sport, mainly at jump racing's expense, how about redressing the balance. Hurdling once the nursery for future chasers is now, no more than flat racing with obstacles in the way. Having eulogised about the benefits of purchasing French bloodstock for so long, it isn't a great surprise that they are because their initial education is over these types of obstacles, and in the main they are taught to jump properly ... even if they aren't blessed with the greatest ability!!.

I think that the British national hunt scene would improve vastly if at one course has permanently sited brush hurdles introduced. I'm not suggesting that other courses shouldn't follow suit, far from it, the more the better. My concern is that some courses currently using them aren't really suitable candidates, because they either are dual-used for the flat season, or too sharp, and thus aren't likely to encourage top quality chasing prospects there.

The best candidates, (in no particular) order would be; 

[i.] Carlisle
[ii.] Newbury
[iii.] Fontwell
[iv.] Cheltenham (new course)
[v.] Lingfield
[vi.] Haydock
[vii.] Nottingham (what a waste at present)
[viii.] Kelso

I doubt it'll happen somehow, which is a real shame, especially as I am 100% certain that national hunt trainers would support the innovation.


T.H.E. R.O.O.K. - FOCUS ON FRANCE 
Monday, 11 February 2002

WINTER JUMP RACING IN CAGNES-SUR-MER & PAU

Christopher Iles and the rook have been watching the racing at Cagnes and Pau and have single out a few horses to note

Christopher Iles

I've been keeping an eye on results from Cagnes and Pau the last couple of weeks - there are a few horses there I think will do well over the next few weeks.

Jolly Jumper has put a nice string of wins together over fences at Cagnes.

I'd been watching out for Azulejo for a while. He won on his recent chasing debut, but was turned over by Oway at Pau on his next start. Oway is another horse who could do well at a higher level next year.

You don't often see winners of the Prix du Cadran running at Pau, but Germinis won there just before the New Year. It was his third start over hurdles...one failure back in 1997 at Auteuil, and being beaten on the same track late this autumn.

A word for Heros Collonges if Sandown should go ahead this weekend - unlikely while the frigid sunshine continues - he's one of the horses Macaire had long intended to run over here. He should win novice chases, though he's not up to Sun Alliance Chase level. Macaire reportedly does his race-planning well in advance whilst at sea...

the rook

Evidence, by the same sire at Magnus won his latest start at Pau in the manner of a horse, who would acquit himself in a higher grade. At an earlier meeting I was really taken by a flashing grey called Line Crow. She would get a nomination for putting him one of the best rounds of jumping I've seen thus far at Pau. This six year old was winning for the fifth time in 2001 and would do well on our country circuit if bought to race over here.

FOCUS ON FRANCE
Thursday January 3. 2002

KRACH
Francois Doumen ran an interesting horse at Auteuil on Sunday - Krach, who'd won the French equivalent of the Champion bumper on his previous start. He's one to watch if he comes over here.

I was at Newbury on Saturday. The new stand there is too small for Hennessy day and I ended up watching most of the racing from the inside of the course...I thought the winner had finished third for a good couple of minutes!!!

FOCUS ON FRANCE
Friday December 7. 2001

GOFFS FRANCE AUTUMN MIXED SALE 2001 ... CHRISTOPHER ILES OFFERS HIS VIEW ON THE PURCHASE OF MAGNUS 

Interesting buy, Magnus. French champion jockey Christophe Pieux seemed more than enthusiastic about him after he won on Sunday, comparing him with Or Jack and suggesting he'd be better over fences. I wonder how quick a learner he will be, though, as he was quite disappointing this spring when he started out over hurdles.

A shame he doesn't get to meet Le Sauvignon (out with a slight injury this autumn). That would have been a race worth watching.

I'll have a more thorough look at these some time soon. Two names to catch the eye were Cerilly, who's been progressing nicely over fences this autumn, and Hespoir d'Aurélie, who wouldn't be that far behind Magnus over hurdles and was perhaps a better chaser, being the moral winner of the Prix Maurice Gillois a couple of years back.

I should also put in a good word for Malhado Island, the Prix Congress winner yesterday. Owned by the Marquesa de Moratalla, he may turn up in England one day. He does look the best of the three year olds that have gone chasing so far.

FOCUS ON FRANCE
Monday, 19 November 2001

GOFFS FRANCE AUTUMN MIXED SALE 2001 

British trainers were in evidence at yesterday's Goffs France Autumn mixed sale, and several of the purchases there will soon be making their presence felt in this country.

Martin Pipe was particularly active at the sale and it is he stole the main prize paying a record for a national hunt horse in training when he went to 3.5 million francs (£339,476) for the five--year-old Magnus, one of France's top hurdlers. Magnus formerly trained by Jacques Ortet recently picked up two important hurdles at Auteuil recently, and is definitely on the upgrade (very much in the same manner that Baracouda' progressed last term) - He is due to run in the £48,497 Prix Leon Olry-Roederer at the same track on Sunday, and may still go for that event. 

That wasn't his only purchase at the sale, as he also snapped up Purtal, a winner on the flat at three, who has been placed over hurdles and fences, Marston Moor - a maiden on the flat with Criquette Head, and Quel Bon Choix, who has been placed in all his starts over hurdles in the provinces

Highflyers Bloodstock went to 1.5 million francs (£145,489) for Sud Bleu who was part of the Claude Cohen dispersal sale. The three-year-old son of Pistolet Bleu showed promise in the Prix Finot on his debut (see above), and could do well over here. Their other purchases included Khaladjistan, a three-year-old colt formerly in training with Alain de Royer Dupré and High Moon who has form over obstacles for his former trainer Jacques Ortet 

Lambswool; a son of Baryshnikov will soon be joining the yard of Lavinia Taylor at upper Lambourn, who paid for 600,000 francs (£58,195) for him. He was placed on the flat when trained by Philippe Van de Poole, and is the sort of horse that Lavinia Taylor will bring along slowly

It wasn't a bad day for us either, as apart from Quel Bon Choix, the following horses from "One To Jump" - Our horses to follow feature were also purchased at the sale - almost certainly to race over here

* Horizon
* Rising Generation
* Jacquemart Colombe 
* Jimmy Tennis 
* King Georges 
* Fidele Galopin 

One look forward to seeing is Jacquemart Colombe who I've liked since seeing him at one of the previous Goffs Sales. Guillame Macaire was the buyer on that occasion, and he managed to win a couple of AQPS (non thoroughbred) races with him. I advised a friend to buy him, so the fact that Guy Petit bought him is encouraging, as he would have acted on his behalf... (I'll have to give him a call!!!)

The seven horses listed above are all capable of finding their level in this country and could (in my view) soon be winning races over here.

FOCUS ON FRANCE
Friday, 16 November 2001

PRIX FINOT 2001

A rather belated look at the three divisions of the Prix Finot (21 September). This is an event for hurdling debutants and is traditionally contested by those horses whose trainers imagine they will go on to be future stars. Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris winner Kotkijet became one of the latest Prix Finot graduate to achieve major success; he was pulled-up in the race on his debut.

The fillies' heat hasn't produced any obvious stars yet. The runners were, in finishing order:

Georgia On My Mind, Miss Poutine, Huit de Coeur, Miss Canon, Tanaiis, Xara, Chanel du Berlais, Royale Acadou, Dimezell Bihan, Private Bluff, Lady Carole, Grande Souveraine, Gidane, Paradana.

The first of the colts' division was run in the fastest time of the three. The first three home have gone on to compete with the best young hurdlers in the country:

Grand Match, Loup Bleu, Corri Piano, Dandy Bleu, Kerrigand, Le Roi Miguel, Sud Bleu, Velasco, Patterson, Spring Tune, Sonandi, Doux Punch, Le Serein, Si Royal.

The second division seems to have been the strongest of the three races, judging on results to date. Multipass won a Grade 2 race on his next start, but was sadly killed in the Prix Cambaceres on his next start. The runner-up Burkhardt is also among the best 3 year olds. Of the others, Wisborough has already won:

Multipass, Buckhardt, Kim de Ray, Secret World, Symphonic Man, Still Waters, Distant Look, Santi, Napolitano, Symphodal, Royal Champagne, Wisborough, King Presse, Kurbani.

Kokitka was undoubtedly the best juvenile seen out during this half of the season, but its quite possible that one of these may alter matters during the season half of the season

FOCUS ON FRANCE
Friday, 09 November 2001

A ROUND-UP FOR THE RECENT MEETINGS AT AUTEUIL & ENGHIEN

Auteuil, 11th September

Fast ground, especially by Auteuil standards. 

Race 2 - a decent 3yo hurdle. It was no real surprise to see Pussigny turned over, though I would not expect the winner, Azulejo, to be still at the top come the end of the season. The reappearing Giant Jumper should be capable of doing better than the fifth he managed here.

Race 3 - Master Tracy is on a roll...6 races, 4 wins, 2 falls...however his logical next step is the Prix Heros XII, up against the elite. The return of Grey Jack was a bit disappointing, and it'll be interesting to see where he goes next. At least connections have a decent replacement in the runner-up Hunter Jack. While Astonville is looking as good over fences as over hurdles, Kimbi clearly isn't; this was his second disappointment in a row.

Race 4 - A debutants' hurdle, won in the past by Rodock. The third, the Doumen-trained Ici Londres, had some good Flat form, and would make an interesting raider on one of the supporting races at Ascot or Kempton this December.

Race 6 - Bipbap, former winner of the Prix Maurice Gillois, became the first of a number of the injury-stricken novice chase elite of 1998 to make a winning reappearance this week. Trained by Guillaume Macaire, and unbeaten over fences except when he's gone lame, logically he could be brought over to England this winter, and may indeed become the latest grey to win the King George...though he'd have to show a bit more than this to do so. A reappearance of a more sinister sort in the same race by the deranged Galaxie du Manoir, whose past antics put him in the same league as Havre de Thaix or the legendary lunatic Belussac - however he lacks their ability. Mirmillon, who finished last, is owned by Peter Deal (Make A Stand, Blowing Wind etc.), and could well turn up in the Pipe stable in the future. He's capable of better than he showed here - one for 2m4f handicap chases round Cheltenham?

Race 7 - a particularly decent hurdle, with many very useful horses using it as a warm-up (four possible Prix La Haye-Jousselin candidates, for instance). The winner, Walk On Seas, isn't obviously a candidate for better things, but would be worth watching if he can maintain the form he showed here.

Auteuil , 14th September

Race 3 - Sunny Flight wins a Graded hurdle on good ground to go with the Graded chase he won on heavy this spring...certainly versatile. The runner-up Goudenko could prove the more interesting, being younger and seeming to be progressing, and his form over fences is just as good as Sunny Flight's.

Race 4 - A very hot hurdle. The winner Line Marine will be placed to win a stack of races at Pau this winter, assuming she doesn't prove competitive against the best. Festival Bumper fancy Carthago ran his best race to date...perhaps a good ground horse. He'd be interesting in the Sun Alliance Hurdle come March. All the rest of the first few home - Oudry, Royal Atalza, El Paradiso, Stormez, Ali Red - can do well.

Race 7 - Nousha was entitled to win this, and did so...his full ability has yet to be revealed. The day Vieux Beaufai won the Grand Steeple-chase de Paris, I remember him losing 10 lengths at the start, then progressing to lead round the final turn, only to fall...

Enghien , 17th September, 

An interesting steeplechase saw top-class hurdler Tiger Groom and the decent future import Karolina going over fences for the first time. Matters did not work out: Karolina refused at the bullfinch, hampering Tiger Groom and putting him out of the race...make of it what you will...

FOCUS ON FRANCE
Thursday 20 September 2001

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