Drags Chase preview: Just like a Grand Steeple

The Drags Chase (Gr2) is usually a consolation race for the horses beaten in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris (Gr1). This year, however, nothing happens the way it usually does and the Drags has become a major aim on its own since the “Grand Steeple” was moved to the Autumn.

Ten runners are listed to compete on the tough 2m6f outer steeple-chase course of Auteuil. Edgeoy (Saddler Maker) beat Srelighonn (Martaline) in the Héros XII Chase (Gr3) run at Compiègne on June 7 face off again here. In that race, Crystal Beach (Network) fell at the first hurle and this winner of the 2019 Murat Chase (Gr2) will try to make it up here, also facing the three first home in the French National, (Gr3), the Prix du Président de la République won by D’Jango (Balko).

• 1. EDGEOY (g6, FRA by Saddler Maker ex Ireland, by Kadalko) Rating / Weight: 168 / 10-12

A halfbred AQPS bred in the Nièvre, he gradually climbed the ladder to the best level of the steeplechase in France and won his first group last October. Twelfth in the Georges Courtois Chase (Gr2) after that, he came back with a 7th place in the Troytown Chase (Gr3) in February and won the Héros XII Chase (Gr3) for his return lately, at Compiègne, beating Srelighonn by 8 lengths.

• 2. CRYSTAL BEACH (g8, FRA by Network ex Hatilade, by Royal Charter) Rating / Weight: 170 / 10-12

At 8, he has run only twelve times over four seasons. Winner of the Murat Chase (Gr2) last year, he made an unfortunate fall in the Zeturf Grand Steeple-Chase in Paris (Gr1) after that and wasn’t seen again for a year. He had just made a winning comeback over hurdles when he fell at the first obstacle in the Héros XII Chase (Gr3) at Compiègne.

• 3. D’JANGO (g7, FRA by Balko ex Quizas Jolie, by Video Rock) Rating / Weight: 139 / 10 10

This consistent AQPS bred in the Nièvre by Jacques Cyprès and Laurent Couétil was always in the money so far but had won only twice. He had just completed a good Winter meeting at Pau and finished third for his return at Auteuil in the Karcimont Handicap Chase before his win in the French National (Gr3) last time out.

• 4. ROXINELA (f7, FRA by Mutathir ex Grivette, by Antarctique) Rating / Weight: 159 / 10-8

Placed in almost all of her top races last year, she ended her season in style by winning the Georges Courtois Chase (Gr2) and made a promising comeback in the Murat Chase (Gr2). Un placed afterwards at Compiègne in the Héros XII Chase (Gr3) won by Edgeoy, she finished second last time out of the Rigoletto Chase (L), at Compiègne again, far behind course specialist Hell Boy.

• 5. CAFERTITI (g8, FRA by Fairly Ransom ex Ofertiti, par Art Bleu) Rating / Weight: 132 / 10-6

Tenth in the French National last year, he won his handicap in June but was again outclassed in the Montgomery Handicap Chase (Gr3).

He failed twice in the Spring at Auteuil but redeemed himself with a brave 2^nd in the French National behind D’Jango, and repeated when 2^nd again to Al Roc in the Saint-Sauveur Chase (L) last time out.

• 6. SRELIGHONN (g7, FRA by Martaline ex Eliga, by Turgeon) Rating / Weight: 174 / 10-6

Winner of the Ferdinand Dufaure 4yo Chase (Gr1) in 2017 and dethroned in the same autumn, he nevertheless won the Troytown Chase (Gr3) in his first season against his elders and repeated in the Georges Courtois Chase (Gr2), beating Crystal Beach, before the following winter.

Switched over hurdles last year, he ran only three times and only once in the spring, was pulled up for his return this year over hurdles at Auteuil but was much better when second in the William Head Chase (L) at Compiègne, and again in the Héros XII Chase (Gr3) last time out behind Edgeoy.

• 7. AL ROC (g9, FRA by Great Pretender ex Al Cov, by Sassanian) Rating / Weight: 139 / 10-6

Sixth in the Montgomery Handicap Chase (Gr3) in 2017 under 9st 11lbs, he won a handicap Chase at Auteuil last July. With a 12lbs penalty, he went hurdling without much success and finished sixth in the Grand Prix de Nice Chase  (Gr3) at Cagnes this winter. He seems to have recovered some of his better form when he won the Saint-Sauveur Chase (L) last time out at Auteuil.

• 8. VIA DOLOROSA (g8, FRA by König Shuffle ex Millie Hurley, by Green Tune) Rating / Weight: 130 / 10-6

Winner of the prix du Président de la République Handicap Chase (French National, Gr3) in 2017, he couldn’t quite follow up against the best chasers in the country but still consistently managed to place himself by avoiding the major confrontations. He made his comeback this year at Toulouse over hurdles and unseated his rider 2 out, when still very much in a position to win the race.

• 9. EQUATION (f6, FRA by Network ex Maorie Antique, by Lute Antique) Rating / Weight: 141 / 10-1

Now 6, this AQPS halfbred mare is slowly making her way to the top and faces again the best chasers around for a new test. 5th in the Georges Courtois Chase (Gr2) last year, she ran well last time out at Compiègne when 2^nd to the gifted Fandango.

• 10. FOU DÉLICE (g5, FRA by Poliglote ex Gladice, by Cadoudal) Rating / Weight: 137 / 10-1

Fifth in the Troytown Chase (Gr3) for his come back and his first race against older horses, he stayed on in 3^rd in the French National and is now facing the very best chasers for the first time with an interesting weight.