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SELECTIONS
- For each race, I have given you who, in my view, are the
likeliest winners, as well as horses who could run well at eachway odds.
'R*ecommended'
horses have, in our view, the best chances of success each day. Any
horses from our 'Horses To Follow' list are shown at the foot of each
race's analysis.
POSTING TIMES FOR SELECTIONS_
Selections for Monday - Friday should be available after 9:30pm the
previous evening, however on Saturday and Sunday due to other
commitments won't be posted until after 8:30am those respective mornings
unless otherwise stated. Hopefully this helps
KOTKIJET
STRIDES TO VICTORY IN THE FRENCH GOLD CUP
Kotkijet, the 11/10 favourite and Ilare came of age when coming first and second in the Grand Steeplechase de Paris. A jaded First Gold weakened to finish fifth. Today's ground was never soft, more like good ground, certainly fair ground unless your horses needed it hock deep
All appeared well with First Gold as he and Djeddah set a fair gallop, however as I said in preview, you just cannot keep a horse ticking over as he has been since February 2000, and expect something not to give. He ran flat, and I never thought at any stage watching the race he was ever going to beat Kotkijet, who sat close on First Gold's tail
Ilare, running in France's premier chase just seven months after his racecourse debut was given a wonderfully sympathetic ride, and he hunted round behind the three leaders - running his own race.
Turning for home with two fences to jump, First Gold and Kotkijet had drawn clear of the toiling Djeddah, and had drawn clear of Ilare. His rider didn't 'put the gun to his head' but he was beginning to stay on as they turned for home
There was nothing to choose between First Gold and Kotkijet over the final two obstacles however Kotkijet was clearly going the better, and on the run-in it he sprinted away from the weakening First Gold
Finally Ilare (who in my view came out of the race with as much credit as Kotkijet) was asked for an effort, and to his credit he stayed on strongly to finish sixth lengths behind the winner.
This may well be the making of Ilare, and I can easily imagine Ilare and Kotkijet having many a battle over the coming years. As for First Gold; if they want to go for Gold in March, he must be put away and given a different campaign. If he runs again during the summer (I'd be amazed if he did) he may win another King George, but not the one that matters
Its been a good day for Daniel Wildenstein as apart from Kotkijet, his Nom D'Une Pipe reversed recent form with Vic Toto, and Tiger Groom , and withheld the challenge of Bilboa to take the Prix Sageris. I liked him, and believe he will develop into a useful stayer over the coming seasons
The second race was eventful. Saint Realise went off 1/3 favourite with Roscoff setting out to make all. Jim Blak fell at the first and badly impeded Saint Realise who lost at least 20 lengths... he did well to finish as close as he did. Second favourite Roscoff was still in the lead when making a bad mistake at the first on the final circuit, he fell at the next. Turgot took it up and led the rest of the way holding off Turkish Junior, and Princelou. I'm aware that there is plenty of interest from British buyers on several of these, and I don't believe that many will have been disapointed
Turgot is a good horse, but his owner is spoilt; also owning Saint Realise who definitely was the moral winner because of the ground lost
Finally Le Sauvignon, deserves a mention having completed back-to-back successes in the Prix La Barka.
Here are today's results at Auteuil
1st Race - Prix Sageris - Prix De Longchamp ~ 14h20 Fences ~ 3900m ~ 7 Runners
1er Nom D'une Pipe T.Majorcryk
2eme Bilboa T.Doumen 2 L
3eme Vic Toto L.De La Rosa
4eme Franc Bleu F.Benech 6 L
5eme Royal Auguin C.Gombeau 8 L
6eme Tiger Groom D.Vincent 2 L
2nd Race - Prix Inspace - Prix Ferdinand Dufaure ~ 14h55 Steeple Chase ~ 4100m ~ 13 Runners
1er Turgot D.Bressou
2eme Turkish Junior L.Metais 3 L
3eme Princelou F.Benech 1 L
4eme El Paradiso S.Beaumard
5eme Saint Realise Ph.Chevalier
6eme Dourakine Jy.Beaurain
3rd Race - Prix Gras Savoye ~ 15h30 Fences ~ 3900m ~ 18 Runners
1er Levallois T.Majorcryk
2eme Cyros Jb.Eyquem
3eme Satin Turk M.Maussion 1/2 L
4eme Le Bambois D.Bressou 1 L
5eme Sky S.Ladjadj 1 L
6ème Mulahen P.Sourzac
4th Race - Gras Savoye Grand Steeple-Chase De Paris (Grade 1) (5yo+) (Winner £135,790.00 3m5f ) ~ 16h15 Steeple Chase ~ 5800m ~ 11 Runners
1er Kotkijet T.Majorcryk
2ème Ilare C.Pieux 6 L
3eme El Paso Iii B.Gicquel 3 L
4ème Harmonie Tresor P.Marsac
5ème First Gold T.Doumen
6eme Urga P.Brechet 20 L
5th Race - Prix Hipcover - Prix La Barka ~ 17h05 Fences ~ 4300m ~ 11 Runners
1er 1 Le Sauvignon D.Bressou
2ème Bounce Back T.Doumen 6 L
3ème Gilder S.Bardet 6 L
4ème Gun'n Roses Jb.Eyquem 4 L
5ème Gatsby Iv S.Juteau
6eme Crylza Royal C.Gombeau Tete
6th Race - Prix Art Et Patrimoine Gras Savoye - Prix Marechal ~ 17h35 Steeple Chase ~ 4400m ~ 12 Runners
1er Dukeen P.Brechet
2eme Paladin P.Pailhes 3 L
3eme Et Light Ph.Pritchard
4eme Marchand De Reve T.Steeger 3 L
5eme Faitiche D'aubry E.Byrne
6eme Ghislaine D.Dunsdon 10 L
7th Race - Prix Gras Savoye Cinema ~ 18h05 Fences ~ 3900m ~ 15 Runners
1er Metchnikoff P.Larbodiere
2eme Herakles Ph.Chevalier 3/4 L
3eme Sketch Dantesque T.Doumen Tete
4eme Gignol S.Juteau 3 L
5eme Royal Pitch C.Gombeau 2 L
6eme Sinati Gyp T.Barcellini
8th Race - Prix Gras Savoye Reassurance ~ 18h35 Fences ~ 3900m ~ 15 Runners
1er Monsieur Le Cure L.Metais
2eme Pas Mal T.Majorcryk
3eme Lorel De Vindecy Jy.Beaurain 3/4 L
4eme Infini A.Kondrat
5ème Good Boy S.Beaumard 3 L
6ème Green Nova Jl.Guillochon
AUTEUIL
Going is currently - SOFT, but drying out
Sunday 27th May
1st Race - Prix Sageris - Prix De Longchamp ~ 14h20 Fences ~ 3900m ~ 7 Runners
1 Tiger Groom D.Vincent 68
2 Vic Toto L.De La Rosa 66
3 Bilboa T.Doumen 66
4 Nom D'une Pipe T.Majorcryk 66
5 Royal Auguin C.Gombeau 64
6 Franc Bleu F.Benech 64
7 Green Weekend Jb.Eyquem 63
"THE ROOK " _No easy task for Bilboa here, as she takes on Tiger Groom, Vic Toto, and Nom D'une Pipe, three of
France's best juvenile hurdlers. Tiger Groom comes into this, having won six on the bounce, before a substandard effort in Prix Amadou (Hurdle) (Group 2) , where he finished behind both Vic Toto, Royal Auguin
and Nom D'une Pipe. He is much better than that bare form, so whilst Vic Toto, is on the upgrade, I'd expect a better showing today.
Nom D´Une Pipe, who f9insiehd behind Dibea Times on his debut, has been a model of
consistency, and isn't far behind the other three. Royal Auguin has stepped up on winning a
race in the provinces to that good effort in the Prix Amadou, and isn't without a chance.
A difficult task at the weights for Bilboa, but i'll take her to just prevail from Tiger Groom, and the
consistent Nom D'une Pipe.
"1st * Choice" _ Bilboa
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Nom D'une Pipe.
2nd Race - Prix Inspace - Prix Ferdinand Dufaure ~ 14h55 Steeple Chase ~ 4100m ~ 13 Runners
1 Saint Realise Ph.Chevalier 65
2 Turgot D.Bressou 65
3 Princelou F.Benech 65
4 El Paradiso S.Beaumard 65
5 Dourakine Jy.Beaurain 65
6 Turkish Junior L.Metais 65
7 Royal Poukettee. Lequesne 65
8 Jet Des Pres P.Marsac 65
9 Jim Blak T.Doumen 65
10 Roscoff P.Sourzac 65
11 Mawlana T.Barcellini 65
12 Sun Storm E.Riou 65
13 Line As C.Pieux 63
"THE ROOK " _ The second race is a fascinating clash between some of France's best four year old chasers... (There is plenty of
interest in several of these, so don't be surprised if they appear in this country next term). Saint Realise,
and Roscoff, both come into this having been impressive in their last couple of starts, Line As, and Jet Des Pres, have run consistently well behind them and will not be far away; neither will be Turgot, and El Paradiso, the 'improvers' going into this event.
Roscoff has been very impressive since finishing behind Turgot on his chasing debut, and wont be far away, however so has Saint Realise, who gave Sun Storm 7lbs, and a sound beating in the Prix Jean Stern (Chase) (Group 2) in April...... he is just preferred today
"1st * Choice" _Saint Realise
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Turgot
3rd Race - Prix Gras Savoye ~ 15h30 Fences ~ 3900m ~ 18 Runners
1 Rougenoir D.Chevrollier 72
2 Wild Tempo C.Pieux 70
3 Cyros Jb.Eyquem 69
4 Le Bambois D.Bressou 69
5 Satin Turk M.Maussion 68
6 Gardaiap P.Michel 67
7 Harawack S.Beaumard 66
8 Levallois T.Majorcryk 65
9 Mulahen P.Sourzac 65
10 Procope Jy.Beaurain 65
11 Kingphil C.Gombeau 64,5
12 Al Boustane P.Julien 64
13 Desiderio S.Sauren 64
14 Facts Not Fiction T.Doumen 63,5
15 Babillage L.Metais 63
16 Sky S.Ladjadj 63
17 Batman Senora P.Marsac 62
18 Imitek C.Clement 62
"THE ROOK " _ A competitive handicap may go to Satin Turk, an impressive winner of his last three starts. Cyrus, who was a creditable second to Ilare on his
comeback race in March (his first race since Oct '99) and Levallois are the ones to consider for a place
"1st * Choice" _ Satin Turk
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Cyrus
4th Race - Gras Savoye Grand Steeple-Chase De Paris (Grade 1) (5yo+) (Winner £135,790.00 3m5f ) ~ 16h15 Steeple Chase ~ 5800m ~ 11 Runners
1 Djeddah R.Walsh 66
2 Graal De Chalamont C.Provot 66
3 Extrien M.Maussion 66
4 Urga P.Brechet 66
5 El Paso Iii B.Gicquel 66
6 First Gold T.Doumen 66
7 Champion Veronais S.Beaumard 66
8 Saint Quenin Ph.Chevalier 66
9 Kotkijet T.Majorcryk 66
10 Harmonie Tresor P.Marsac 64
11 Ilare C.Pieux 64
Runner[s] from our 2001/2002 N.H. 'Horses to Follow' feature__
Ilare
"THE ROOK " _ Whatever happens this will be a terrific race to watch, and maybe a little more open than the market may suggest it is. It probably lies between; Urga, First Gold, Kotkijet, Ilare, El Paso III, and Extriuen
The market will be led by First Gold; seeking to confirm his position as Europe's top chaser, and make up for his untimely departure at Sandown, where he made an uncharacteristic blunder at the first in the straight. Before that, he suggested that he the horse to beat when impressively winning the King George VI Chase at Kempton in December and Aintree' s Martell Cup. As he was definitely short of peak fitness, when finishing a close second to Shotgun Willy in between (no disgrace in that effort). It is hard to detract from his level of form and as he has already made it at this level having won this race three years ago. He seems sure to go close
Are any of his rivals actually good enough to beat him?
If the ground continues to dry out then you could give El Paso III a chance, the same applies to Urga, who finished only 12 lengths behind First Gold in the Prix la Haye Jousselin Prix pari-turf.com (Grade 1 Chase) in November 2000. However it is likely that Kotkijet, and Ilare may prove his toughest opponents
Kotkijet, an athletic six year old owned by Daniel Wildenstein is on a roll having won his last five starts (all at Auteuil). on both his last two starts he has comfortably beaten El Paso, last time in the Prix Ingre (Chase) (Group 2) over 2m6f. He's clearly needs to improve on these efforts, but this big gelding is going the right way and wont be far away. The 'heir apparent' Ilare; a lovely grey five year old gelding, owned by the Marquise De Moratella is France's brightest new chasing prospect. He has a similar background to First Gold going into this event, (When that horse won this race three years ago) being unbeaten in his last six starts (again all at Auteuil though over both hurdles and fences in his instance) and easily took the Prix William Head (Chase) over 2m7½f beating Saint Quenin who reopposes again today
It should be an interesting, and informative clash of the generations, and further evidence , if any was needed, of the strength of France's current crop of chasers.
The book says that First Gold is the likeliest winners however if you read our preview a few days ago, it is hard to be confident about a horse who effectively has been on the go since February 2000. That appears to be shared by JP Macmanus who seems less than keen about the race - and this may be going to that well one too many times. Hopefully this race is covered in some UK betting outlets, in which case if you be offered odds, rather than the French Pari-mutuel, then Ilare (eachway), may just be the bet.
I think both Kotkijet, and Ilare are dangerous opponents to a fresh horse, never mind one whose been on the go so long, therefore despite never having won at the distance (but so did the last three winners of the race). It wouldnt be the greatest surprise if First Gold was toppled by either of them..... I just prefer the younger horse
"1st * Choice" _ Ilare, e/w (UK odds if offered, almost certain to pretty short on the Pari-mutuel - take eachway prices if offered)
"Alternative" _ Kotkijet again just over the 'jaded' First Gold
5th Race - Prix Hipcover - Prix La Barka ~ 17h05 Fences ~ 4300m ~ 11 Runners
1 Le Sauvignon D.Bressou 69
2 Gilder S.Bardet 66
3 Fou Du Roy V P.Marsac 66
4 Gatsby Iv S.Juteau 65
5 Crylza Royal C.Gombeau 65
6 Saute Au Bois Ph.Chevalier 65
7 Valignani E.Riou 65
8 Volontaire T.Majorcryk 65
9 Caballo Raptor (CAN) Jy.Beaurain 64
10 Gun'n Roses Jb.Eyquem 64
11 Bounce Back T.Doumen 64
"THE ROOK " _ Fascinating meeting of France's middle distance/long distance hurdlers. Last
season's Champion Hurdler Le Sauvignon heads the field having returned to form when beating Gilder here in the Prix Leon Rambaud (Grade 2) (Hurdle). He is preferred to Fou Du Roy V; (who beat Barracouda in the Prix Carmarthen last October, but has been
disappointing thus far this term), Caballo Raptor ; (the best four year old hurdler in 2000, who is slowly coming to hand) and Bounce Back
"1st * Choice" _ Le Sauvignon
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Caballo Raptor (CAN)
6th Race - Prix Art Et Patrimoine Gras Savoye - Prix Marechal ~ 17h35 Steeple Chase ~ 4400m ~ 12 Runners
1 So Be It Jp.Boisgontier 71
2 Bowlingher E.Selter 70
3 Marchand De Reve T.Steeger 69
4 Criteuil Jpl .Ewart 69
5 Imprevue C.Guimard 69
6 Dukeen P.Brechet 68
7 Haut Folin G.Leenders 68
8 Et Light Ph.Pritchard 68
9 Faitiche D'aubry E.Byrne 67
10 Astronomer M.Rosport 66
11 Paladin P.Pailhes 66
12 Ghislaine D.Dunsdon 65
"THE ROOK " _Some interesting sorts in the sixth event; Imprevue, who has solid form in claiming company; Et Light who
finished two lengths behind Edredon Bleu in a novice chase in 1996, but seems have shown little of any
worth since Bowlingher who ran well behind Satin Turk (who runs earlier
in the day) last time out; and Criteuil; a six year old maiden trained by
Guilliame Macaire who showed promise in a Claming Chase in September '99
I'll go with So Be It who finished third in the Prix Jean Stern (Chase) (Grade 2) in April 2000 .... however not a race to get overly excited about (although
again its conceivable that we may see a few of these on these shores)
"1st * Choice" _ So Be It
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Criteuil
7th Race - Prix Gras Savoye Cinema ~ 18h05 Fences ~ 3900m ~ 15 Runners
1 Gignol S.Juteau 68
2 Keldar P.Bigot 68
3 Holiday Light M.Maussion 67
4 Herakles Ph.Chevalier 66,5
5 Herczeg Jy.Beaurain 66,5
6 Beau Canadien Jb.Eyquem 66
7 Belle Yepa B.Helliet 66
8 Metchnikoff P.Larbodiere 66
9 Petit Philippe A.Kondrat 66
10 Oa Cricrep S.Bardet 65,5
11 Cybelle E.Riou 65
12 Royal Pitch C.Gombeau 65
13 Sinati Gyp T.Barcellini 65
14 Sketch Dantesque T.Doumen 65
15 Spoon River P.Marsac 65
"THE ROOK " _ Interesting and open hurdle race . I'd give chances to the
following; Czech bred Keldar who has won two of his last four starts (the last when winning the Prix Chakhansoor (Hurdle) (Handicap) in April), Belle Yepa
who finished second to Harmonie Tresor in the Prix Gatinais in April; Beau Canadien, and Herczeg who are both consistent handicappers. Beau
Canadien beat nineteen rivals (including Keldar) in the Prix Necor (Hurdle) in April and wont be far away. then there is Metchnikoff; who has been placed in his last four starts
including behind Satin Turk in April
Take a chance and go with Keldar, to reverse placing with Beau Canadien, and
hold the challenge of Herczeg
"1st * Choice" _ Keldar (CZE)
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Metchnikoff
8th Race - Prix Gras Savoye Reassurance ~ 18h35 Fences ~ 3900m ~ 15 Runners
1 Humpty B.Delo 68
2 Love River E.Lequesne 67,5
3 Moissonneur Ph.Chevalier 67,5
4 Green Nova Jl.Guillochon 66,5
5 Mon Amiral C.Gombeau 66,5
6 Monsieur Le Cure L.Metais 66,5
7 Cacahuette B.Gicquel 65,5
8 Good Boy S.Beaumard 65,5
9 Lorel De Vindecy Jy.Beaurain 65,5
10 Pas Mal T.Majorcryk 65,5
11 Wellecadou F.Benech 65,5
12 Nan O Way (BEL) J.Ducout 65
13 Infini A.Kondrat 64,5
14 Regal Reprimand C.Clement 62,5
15 Adeen D.Barone 61
"THE ROOK " _ The last looks very open; Nan O Way who finished third to Beau Canadien in a handicap hurdle in April;
Love River, a winner here last April, Pas Mal, whose been placed in all his starts thus far; Moissonneur, who had solid form on the flat in 1999, but
hasn't appeared since; Guilliame Macaire's runner Cacahuette, who has shown promise without winning over hurdles (but is another winner on the flat); Mon Amiral who has won twice on the flat already this season, and Monsieur Le Cure (who was placed in an
amateur's race) look the likeliest winners
Mon Amiral gets a tentative vote
"1st * Choice" _Mon Amiral
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Nan O Way (BEL)
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