18 January 2019
Photo scoopdyga.com
The 132nd edition of the Grand Prix of Pau Biraben Foie Gras - Prix André Labarrère (Gr3), the Pau "Grand Steeple", is run on Sunday at Pau. It is the main event of the Winter meeting with €145,000 in prize money. Seven horses were confirmed on Friday for the 5,300 metres, or 3m 2 1/2 furlongs chase.
Winner of the race in 2017, Forthing (Barastraight) rode out of the course in the last edition, when co-favorite with Galop Marin. Formerly trained by Guy Cherel, he's now handled by David Cottin. and has since won a hurdle race at Pau for his return and confirmed brilliantly by winning by ten lengths the Grand Prix prep race, on January 2, beating Monsamou (Bienamado). The latter won the Grand Prix in 2018 but Forthing's odds are shorter again for him to regain the title he lost.
The only mare at the start, Sainte Turgeon (Turgeon) is part of the three-strong Papot stable. The 7-year-old is trained by Patrice Quinton. She discovered Pau last time out and finished fifth in the prep race won by Forthing butshe is one of the best female jumpers at Auteuil . For example, she finished fourth in the Prix des Drags Chase (Gr2) last June.
The race is the last on the card and is set at 4:07pm French time.