10 June 2019
Photo scoopdyga.com
A faller for his debut, then second to Al Cuarto (Nicaron) and lately to Mick Pastor, Nirvana du Berlais (Martaline) each time beat Le Lude (Turgeon). Yet, he wasn't one of the prominent runners in the Prix Aguado Hurdle Race (Gr3). Al Cuarto and Le Lude were in the race again, and some of the best 3-year hurdlers so far including the undefeated Hipsters (Poliglote), a recent acquisition by Irish leading owner JP McManus. The promising youngster had to be pulled up after the river though.
Meanwhile, Nirvana du Berlais has always been trailing the front-running Kick Up (Martaline) and took over in the last turn, then held on to the post with For Fun (Motivator) pushing him all the way. A keen Irresistibles (Nom de D'là) finished third in front of Kick Up and Le Lude.
Nirvana du Berlais is an entire colt. Bred by Jean-Marc Lucas and Catherine Pousin, he's owned by Hubert Mauillon and Jean-Marc Lucas' Haras du Berlais. Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé trains him. He is a brother to Aubusson (Ballingarry), who is in training in Great Britain and came last year to Auteuil for the Grand Prix d'Automne Hurdle Race (Gr1) but is more successful in handicaps, now. Their sister Triana du Berlais (Presenting) has won the Prix Edmond Barrachin Chase (Gr3) -beating no less than Grand Steeple winner Carriacou!- and the Prix Bournosienne Hurdle (Gr3). Their dam Katioucha (Mansonnais) was third in the Prix Finot Hurdle Race (L) at 3.
She recently gave a Nirvana brother by Shantou, 2-year-old Toscana du Berlais.