De Bon Coeur and Alex de Larredya are back

The Prix Hypothèse Hurdle race (Gr3) is the main attraction on Sunday at Auteuil. The € 120,000 contest brings together the best hurdlers in the country. Winner of the race in 2018 but not seen in action since May, the phenomenal De Bon Coeur (Vision d'État), now 6, finally reappears. The Jacques Détré homebred mare has not raced for 308 days, only twenty more than her stablemate and arch-rival, Alex de Larredya (Crillon), also coming back in the 3,900 metres-long affair.

Their trainer François Nicolleseems to say that he has got them in good shape for their return, but they will have to be up to their best to tackle the horse who took the opportunty of their leave to seize the laurels, , Galop Marin (Black Sam Bellamy). However, the chestnut owned by the Papot family missed his return, three weeks ago in the Prix Juigné Hurdle race (Gr3), when he fell at the third hurdle ... His trainer, Dominique Bressou, believes that he has recovered from this incident -he stood up right away and went on following the field all the way. Yet, this is not the clean bill you would have hoped for on this occasion. The suspense is up! To put this trio of champions in check, five horses have risen to the challenge including four of the top six in the Juigné, in addition to Crystal Beach (Network), back again and probably on his way to another chasing season.

Sunday's meeting also features the Prix Lutteur III Handicap Chase (L), with again € 120,000 up for grabs and a good run towards the Prix du President de la Republique Handicap Chase (French National, Gr3). The 8th and last race on the card, the Prix Mitsouko Chase, is restricted to 4yo AQPS (halfbreds). Some will certainly be geared to the top selection of their generation soon, and join a few runners of the Prix Le Touquet Chase, also run on Sunday at Auteuil. There is already an elite emerging with Goliath of Berlais, Polirico and Royal Et Tic, who were on board lately on March 9 in the Prix Duc d'Anjou Chase (Gr3).