25 November 2017
Photo scoopdyga.com
Bristol de Mai, Top Notch and Min all won major jumping assignments on Saturday at Ascot, Haydock and Gowran Park.
One of the most impressive displays over British obstacles on Saturday was AQPS Bristol de Mai (Saddler Maker)'s 57 lengths (or 14 seconds according to racing Post) win in the Lancashire Chase (Gr1) at haydock, beating English star Cue Card. Moved to Nigel Twiston-Davies' yard after he won the Prix Isopani AQPS 3yo Hurdle in 2014 at Auteuil, when trained by Guillaume Macaire, the grey Bristol was bred in Maine-et-Loire by Jean-Yves Touzaint.
Three of the remaining 6 jumps races at haydock on Saturday also went to French imports. Délire d’Estruval (Youmzain), bred by Marie-Françoise Le Gentil near the English Channel, won his first race in Britain in a Listed hurdle race, while 6yo Hainan (Laveron) and Clan des Obeaux (Kapgarde) both won their respective chase.
Simon Munir and Isaac Souede's partnership also made wonders at Ascot on Saturday. Born in 2011 and bred in Sarthe by Benoît Gabeur and the Haras des Sablonnets, Top Notch (Poliglote), trained by Nicky Henderson, won the Christy 1965 Chase (Gr2) by 8 lengths. Top Notch also left France at 3 after two wins in that many races for trainer Guillaume Macaire.
8yo Sir Valentino (Early March) eand 4yo Nestor Park (Walk in the Park) also won on Saturday at the Surrey royal racecourse.
Another jumper by Walk in the Park, 6yo Min, bred in Calvados by Marie-Thérèse Mimouni, made an astounding statement for his return after nearly a year off as the Rich Ricci-owned wonder won by 36 lengthsat Gowran Park… The Riccis and trainer Willie Mulllins also welcomed home the Haras de Beauvoir-bred Sharjah (Doctor Dino), winner of a Novices' Hurdle race at Gowran Park. 6yo import Dounikos (Smadoun) also won there on Saturday for his chasing debut.