11 June 2017
Photo scoopdyga.com, left to right :
Jean d'Indy, chairman of National Hunt at France Galop, Simon Munir, rider Daryl Jacob, Isaac Souede, trainer Nicky Henderson and agent Anthony Bromley
Three weeks after winning five races on Grand Steeple weekend, including a Gr1, Simon Munir's silks swept the two top hurdle races on the card on Sunday at Auteuil.
The English and French silks of Simon Munir's were the first two home in the Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil (Gr1) on Sunday at Auteuil racecourse. Trained by Nicky Henderson, L'Ami Serge (King's Theatre) avenged himself in the Auteuil classic, three weeks after tasting defeat by Ireland's Shaneshill (King's Theatre) in the last prep race, the Prix La Barka Hurdle (Gr2). Trained by François Nicolle for the same owner, partnered by Isaac Souede, a first-time blinkered Alex de Larredya (Crillon) looked like a winner jumping the last over the 3m1 1/2 trip but finally had to oblige in he run-in.
Held back most of the long way by Daryl Jacob, L'Ami Serge won by a length and a half, Shaneshill finishing third ten lengths behind the duo after having followed the leader, French favourite Blue Dragon (Califet). Last year's race winner for Paul Nicholls, Ptit Zig (Great Pretender) jumped awkwardly in the back straight and finally faded 8th, while Blue Dragon (Califet) was eventually pulled up by David Cottin. It was to be the triple French champion jockey's last ride as he announced after the race that he would now become a trainer.
L'Ami Serge was bred in Ireland but he is out of a good French racing mare for Zingaro stable, La Zingarella (sold for €77,000 at the end of her career by Goffs France in 2003) and he began his career under the care of Guillaume Macaire before being exported. L'Ami Serge was wearing a hood -not blinkers- and according to his trainer Nicky Henderson, it allowed him to relax and stay the extra distance.
The Prix Alain du Breil 4yo Champion Hurdle (Gr1) was pretty dramatic as unbeaten champion filly De Bon Coeur (Vison d'État) fell at the 2nd last when leading the field pretty comfortably. Jacques Detré's great filly and his jockey James Reveley walked away fine, fortunately.
Winner of the last prep race, the Prix Questarabad Hurdle (Gr3) on Grand Steeple weekend, Prince Ali (Kapgarde) seized the day and went on to hold off Willie Mullins' Bapaume (Turtle Bowl). Also trained by Mullins in Ireland, AQPS Dandy Mag (Special Kaldoun), a sister to champion hurdler Vroum Vroum Mag (Voix du Nord), finished third. The winner, trained by Guillaume Macaire, also races for Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, whose colours won both the Gr1 events on the card Sunday at Auteuil, three weeks after winning five races over Grand Steeple weekend, and the Prix Ferdinand Dufaure 4yo Chase (Gr1) with Srelighonn (Martaline).
Prince Ali is the first foal out of No
volae (Coroner), who has since given only one son of Dragon Dancer named Gogo Dancer, born in 2016 and also bred by Yves Lemonnier and Guillaume Macaire.
The last big chase of the Spring season at Auteuil, the Prix des Drags Chase (Gr2) went to the brave Bon Augure (My Risk) for Scottish owners Lynn McLennan and trainer Adrien Lacombe. Saint Pistol (Saint des Saints) finished well in second, beating 11yo Shannon Rock (Turgeon), only beaten a short neck.
Polish-bred Tunis (Estejo) won the Prix Aguado 3yo Hurdle (Gr3), becoming the best of the younger generation over hurdles after his Prix Stanley Hurdle (L) win.