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Analysis & Selections by
"éléphant"
Whether
it be "the race of the day" or a small prize round the gaffs, we
will attempt to use our knowledge of the formbook to highlight the fancied
horses participating each day and their
characteristics and requirements. Hopefully this 'second opinion' provides
you with a winner or two each day, or even reinforces your own view on a
particular may even convince you to back some of those horses which we
feel are the "ones to fear", or have decent eachway claims.
whichever is the case, we hope the information is of use to you.
SELECTIONS - For each race, we have given you who, in our view, are the likeliest winners;
(1er. _ LE GAGNANT?), as well as any runners who could run well at eachway odds;
(E/W
ALTERNATIVE) . Any runner from our features are shown before each race's analysis.
AUTEUIL
Dimanche. Mai 25.
Terrain : Très souple [Pénétromètre : 3.9]
British racegoers are in for a real
treat today as today's card at Auteuil has many of France's current racing stars on show. Here's a preview of the meeting. Christopher Iles is attending the meeting
and we'll be posting his comments in our "FOCUS ON FRANCE " feature. As the national hunt
calendar in Europe is well under way, dont be too surprised to see horses from our ONE TO JUMP '04 feature.
¦¨¨¨¨"Premier¨Course"¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨»-- 13:45 Prix Gras Savoye Réassurance - Prix Stanley Haies - Mâles - L. - 3 ans. 7 partants. 65000 EUR > 3500 m
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¦ "one to jump" ¦ ¬ Are there any horses from "ONE TO JUMP 2003/4" - Our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the current national hunt season? ¦:¬»-- Positive Thinking and Bica
¦ "éléphant" ¦:¬»-- Seven juveniles have been declared for the opening Prix Gras Savoye Réassurance, and is an interesting thought that whilst some of these have run at least twice over hurdles, we in England have yet to have a race over
obstacles, [and some of the unraced bumpers are prohibited from running.. food for thought we think]. Five of these have chances... Guillame Macaire has two of these; Positive Thinking [a son of Nikos, who has won both of his starts at Auteuil, most recently the Prix Chateauvert here
twelve days ago], and Bica [who may an encouraging debut in the Prix Wild Monarch, usually a race that throws up some decnet juveniles].
Against them are Star Glory, [a son of French Glory who has won all of his three starts, on the flat at Hyeres in February, before winning twice over hurdles, most recently the Prix Des Benjamin at
Enghien last month], Decent Destiny, [who won on his second start over hurdles at Enghien] and
possibly Subtil Poa, [ placed on his second start at Enghien but has plenty to find here]. Positive Thinking Has looked useful in winning both starts at this venue and will be
difficult to beat and he'll gets the nod, however Bica is a lovely individual and it wouldnt
surprise me if he didn't close the gap before the end of the season. [being owned by the
Waley-Cohens its quite possible that we may see him over here in the autumn... he might be an
interesting proposition by then.]
¦ 1er. LE GAGNANT?¹ ¦:¬»-- Positive Thinking
¦ 2e. placé ?² ¦:¬»-- Bica
¦ 3e. placé ?³ ¦:¬»-- Star Glory
¦¨¨¨¨"Deuxième¨Course"¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨»-- 14.20 Prix Sageris - Prix de Longchamp Haies - [Groupe III] - 4 ans. 6 partants. 110000 EUR. 3900 m.
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¦ "one to jump" ¦ ¬ Are there any horses from "ONE TO JUMP 2003/4" - Our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the current national hunt season? ¦:¬»-- Nickname
¦ "éléphant" ¦:¬»-- Six of last term's juveniles line up for the second race of the card; the Prix Sageris... Four horses stand out here Nickname, Cheler,
Bulougun and L'Interprete and they met last time out in the Prix Amadou Haies [Groupe II] here last month. On that occasion Nickname came out
on top, giving 13lbs and a length beating to Bulougun, with L'Interprète in fifth, and Cheler in
seventh.. This form appears to be rock solid, as both Kapgarde [3rd] and Homme Du Bourg [8th] have come out and won since and as Nickname has been a model of
consistency, it will be a surprise if he is beaten
¦ 1er. LE GAGNANT?¹ ¦:¬»-- Nickname
¦ 2e. placé ?² ¦:¬»-- Bulougun
¦ 3e. placé ?³ ¦:¬»-- L'Interprete
¦¨¨¨¨"Troisième¨Course"¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨»-- 14:55 Prix Gras Savoye Patrimoine - Prix Maréchal Foch Steeple Ch' - Gentlemen-riders - 5 ans et plus. 12 partants. 42000 EUR 4400 m
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¦ "éléphant" ¦:¬»-- A lot of interest in this race - mainly because it
omits female jockeys and Guillame Macaire was very keen to give Polly Gundry a ride here - who has ridden seven winners for him in France in
the last month... a real pity as Polly Gundry is more than capable of tackling this task... if there's any consolation, it may be that you get the chance to ride for when he has horses racing in this country. As far as this race goes, Master Tracy and Japhet
probably have the best profiles, though both have lost their way and are on
retrieval mission, as well as First Preuil [Who Polly Gundry rode to win at
Fontainebleau at the end of April] and Jingle Rose, [who didn't fire when trained by
Phillip Hobbs, who came back here last term to win twice over fences most
recently here a year ago]. Japhet hasn't really been the same horse since falling the Sun
Alliance Chase at Cheltenham two seasons ago, however he still has retained enough ability to beat these, grated a clear round.
¦ 1er. LE GAGNANT?¹ ¦:¬»-- Japhet
¦ 2e. placé ?² ¦:¬»-- Jingle Rose
¦ 3e. placé ?³ ¦:¬»-- First Preuil
¦¨¨¨¨"Quatrième¨Course"¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨»-- 15:45 Prix Hipcover Gras Savoye - Prix La Barka Haies - [Groupe III] - 5 ans et plus. 10 partants. 140000 EUR. 4300 m
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¦ "éléphant" ¦:¬»-- Its all too rare for British and Irish
challengers to take on French hurdlers "away" , so Martin Pipe and Willie Mullins are to be
applauded for sending Holy Orders, Galant Moss and Nobody Told Me over to compete on this prep race for the French Champion Hurdle... Holy Orders, and Nobody Told Me certainly come here
with sound credentials, both having won Grade 1 events at the Punchestown festival... They could be anything here and
shouldn't be underestimated, however We do know that Galant Moss has proven
himself in France and although he is very disappointing in England, he is [bar his last run] a totally different
proposition in this country... he'll need to be as these three have up against them Karly Flight, [winner of the Gras Savoye - Prix Ferdinand Dufaure
(Steeple Ch`) [Groupe I], Prix de Maison-Laffitte Haies - [Groupe II], Prix Renaud du Vivier (Grande Course de Haies de 4ans) [Groupe I] and most recently the Prix Leon Rambaud Haies [Groupe II], where she beat Great Love [who reopposes] by 15lengths.
Great Love is no slouch and having
beaten the great Saint Des Saints when landing the Prix Alain Du Breuil Haies [Groupe I] a year ago has confirmed
himself to be a decent tool in his own right... shame he's so badly in at the weights here. Katiki is another decent mare who returns to
hurdles after an unhappy experience over the larger obstacles last time out ... She
doesn't have the same high profile as her compatriots but she is not to be underestimated... The
British contingent will do well to win this, and Karly Flight has to b e the
selection at these weights, however hopefully Great Love, Holy Orders or Galant Moss, will give
their supporters so hope for the main event next month.
¦ 1er. LE GAGNANT?¹ ¦:¬»-- Karly Flight
¦ 2e. placé ?² ¦:¬»-- Great Love,
¦ 3e. placé ?³ ¦:¬»-- Holy Orders
¦¨¨¨¨"Cinquième¨Course"¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨»-- 16:25 Prix Gras Savoye Cinéma - Prix Ferdinand Dufaure Steeple Ch` - [Groupe I] - 4 ans. 11 partants. 175000 EUR. 4100 m
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¦ "one to jump" ¦ ¬ Are there any horses from "ONE TO JUMP 2003/4" - Our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the current national hunt season? ¦:¬»--
Vésuve and Gorfou De Maspie
¦ "éléphant" ¦:¬»-- Eleven four year olds have been declared for the Prix Ferdinand Dufaure Steeple Ch` - a Garde 1 chase over 4100m. Of those due
to line up we like Ice Mood, [a winner of both his starts over fences, most recently the Prix Le Touquet Steeple ch` here two weeks ago,
where he beat Julius Honour by 6lengths], Kapgarde, [one of Guillaime Macaire's two runners, who had good form over hurdles
before winning the Prix Samour Steeple ch` on his chasing bow 12 days ago], Ladykish, [another useful hurdler who has taken to fences, winning her last two starts, most recently the Prix Floret Steeple ch` [Groupe II] here at
the beginning of April; Mon Villez, [who won the Prix Congress Steeple ch` [Groupe II] here in November and has been laid out for this]; as well as Gorfou De Maspie and
Vésuve, [Guillame Macaire's' second string], who have been racing consistently well over
fences, who finished first and second in the Prix Congress Steeple ch` [Groupe II] here at the end of
April. Gorfou De Maspie landed the spoils by ½length from Vésuve, with only ¾length back to Mon Villez and it wouldnt
surprise us if there is a similar margin between them here...
This is a very open affair and up for grabs. Kapgarde is the least exposed of these over fences and is open to most
improvement... Granted a clear round he would seem to be the one to side with Gorfou De Maspie,
Vésuve and Ice Mood are taken to follow him home.
¦ 1er. LE GAGNANT?¹ ¦:¬»-- Kapgarde
¦ 2e. placé ?² ¦:¬»-- Gorfou De Maspie
¦ 3e. placé ?³ ¦:¬»-- Vésuve
¦¨¨¨¨"Sixième¨Course"¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨»-- 17:10 Gras Savoye Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris - [Groupe I] - 5 ans et plus. 11 partants 480000 EUR. 5800 m
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[1] Sunny Flight - 67 Kg , trained by A Chaille-Chaille |
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[2] Cerilly - 67 Kg , trained by J. Bertran De Balanda |
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[3] Urga - 67 Kg , trained by Gil Chaignon |
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[4] Princelou - 67 Kg, trained by N Madamet |
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[5] Rougenoir - 67 Kg , trained by Re. Lecomte |
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[6]
Jéricho Vallis - 67 Kg , trained by J. Bertran De Balanda |
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[7] El Paso Iii - 67 Kg , trained by B Secly |
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[8] Idole Des Fontaines - 67 Kg , trained by C Diard |
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[9] Ilare - 67 Kg , trained by E Chevalier Du Fau |
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[10] Batman Senora - 67 Kg , trained by I Williams {GB} |
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[11] Le Chablis - Non partant |
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[12] Line Marine - 65 Kg , trained by C. Aubert |
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¦ "one to jump" ¦ ¬ Are there any horses from "ONE TO JUMP 2003/4" - Our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the current national hunt season? ¦:¬»-- Ilare
¦ "éléphant" ¦:¬»-- Eleven runners ail line up for the latest renewal of the French Gold Cup, and whilst France has strength in Depth in the hurdling
division, it is far weaker in this sphere.. Kotkijet's departure from the scene he look set to dominate two years
ago has left a huge void that hasn't as yet been fully filled.
That said, It isn't a bad renewal either as many of the current "best performers" are here. The current champion, [by virtue of a
technicality] El Paso III attempts to defend his crown and after been in good form last autumn has struggled of late. He failed to complete in the Prix la Haye Jousselin steeple ch` [Groupe I], won by Sunny Flight in November, and has since
finished third to Jéricho Vallis and Idole Des Fontaines in the Prix Murat steeple ch` [Groupe II], here in
April. The extreme distance of this race, will suit him and he is sure to give a good account of
himself here, though whether that is enough to win here is debatable. Jericho
Vallis has done really well since chasing home Akarus , [now with Martin Pipe] in the Prix RTL (Prix Montgomery) steeple ch` (Handicap) last
October, and his win in the Prix Murat steeple ch` supplemented an earlier success in
the Prix George Courtois Steeple ch` [Groupe II], last December, when he
beat Sunny Flight, Urga and Princelou. Provided he stays he should go well.
Jehan Bertran De Balanda is well represented here, as apart from Jericho Vallis, he is also
responsible for Cerilly, better know for his exploits over hurdles, who has a
particularly good record over fences. His second to Sunny Flight in the Prix la Haye Jousselin steeple ch` [Groupe I], looks good here, however there is surely a reason why he
hasn't been campaigned so frequently over the larger obstacles ... whilst he can perform at this sort of level you
probably shouldn't be too worried about it, well certainly not here anyway.
Its nice to have a
British Challenger for the prize, and Batman Senora is sure to have been well prepared by Ian Williams. His win at
Bangor is meaningless here, and although he was a good second to Trespass in
the Prix Jean Granel Haies here twelve days ago, he will need to better last season's form to win this. The final
three worthy of a mention are Sunny Flight Line Marine and Ilare.
Sunny Flight completed his preparation for this by landing the Prix Ingre steeple ch` [Groupe III], at the beginning of the month and has been primed for this by
Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé, whilst Line Marine bids to add this prize to the Prix Renaud du Vivier (Grande Course de Haies des 4 ans) [Groupe I], she landed here in November '01.
She has won here last four starts. most recently the Prix William Head Steeple ch`, where she beat Ilare 8lenthhs, [giving him 7lbs] She could be very
difficult to beat if she stays, however this is by far her hardest assignment over fences, and I'm sure that Ilare will be a lot straighter here
I believe the winner will come from one of the last three mention, plus El Paso III, and if
British bookmakers give their own prices I'd be interested in some eachway money on Ilare, who was second in this to
the great Kotijket after only being in training six Months... Ed Chevalier Du Fau
wouldn't be running him here if he didn't believe the horse could do himself
justice, and I'd be happy if he were to make the frame [if of he didn't oblige]... as for whose most likely to win ... I just prefer Sunny Flight to
Line Marine.
¦ 1er. LE GAGNANT?¹ ¦:¬»-- Ilare, [e/w]
¦ 2e. placé ?² ¦:¬»-- Sunny Flight
¦ 3e. placé ?³ ¦:¬»-- Line Marine
¦¨¨¨¨"Septième¨Course"¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨»-- 17:50 Prix Gras Savoye-Fais-Nous-Rêver Haies - Handicap divisé - première épreuve - L. - 5 ans et plus. 18 partants. 95000 EUR. 3900 m
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¦ "éléphant" ¦:¬»-- Eighteen runners have been declared for this competitive looking handicap, of whom, Hurkash, Phonidal, Fools Rush In, Billowing Sail, El Paradiso, Fou Du Roy, Tartuffo,
Serjeant, Jessie Borg, Metchnikoff and King Presse make most appeal. Fools Rush In, a son of Sadlers Wells trained by
François Doumen, should go well here. He landed the Prix Lilium Haies [Handicap divisé] here in March and has since
finished a good second to Tartuffo in the Rose or No Haies [Handicap divisé] here in April ... He is just preferred to Fou Du Roy, who won the Prix Carmont Haies here last time out;
Serjeant, a lightly raced six year old who is one the recovery trail after injury, [who
finished 9lengths behind Fou Du Roy last time out] and Billowing Sail, who won the Prix Bougie Haies [Handicap divisé] here last time out at the beginning of March.
¦ 1er. ~ LE GAGNANT?¹ ¦:¬»-- Fools Rush In,
¦ 2e. placé ?² ¦:¬»-- Fou Du Roy,
¦ 3e. placé ?³ ¦:¬»-- Serjeant,
¦ 4e. placé ?³ ¦:¬»-- Billowing Sail,
¦¨¨¨¨"Huitième¨Course"¨¨¨¨¦¨¨¨¨¨»-- 18:25 Prix Gras Savoye Sports et Evénements Haies - Handicap divisé - deuxième épreuve - 5 ans et plus. 19 partants. 34000 EUR. 3900 m
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¦ "éléphant" ¦:¬»-- The final race on the card is the second handicap on
the card. nineteen horses are due to line up, and in the absence of topweight Aficion, who would have been
difficult to beat here, [and would have been the selection], Ballinasloe, Boston Dancer, Former Rascal, Pasgentry, Keldar, Kourtroom, Grady Music, Royal Pitch, and Lady Argument
seem to be the horses to concentrate on. Ballinasloe was a good fifth last time
out to Trespass in the Prix Jean Granel Haies at the beginning of May, and
having won the Prix de la Porte d'Auteuil here in March, does come into this with sound
credentials. With Champion Jockey Cristophe Pieux on board .. he'll do for me. Former Rascal, Keldar, and Grady Music, look to be next best.
¦ 1er. LE GAGNANT?¹ ¦:¬»-- Ballinasloe
¦ 2e. placé ?² ¦:¬»-- Grady Music
¦ 3e. placé ?³ ¦:¬»-- Former Rascal,
¦ 4e. placé ?³ ¦:¬»-- Keldar (CZE)
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