3 April 2017
Crédit photo : scoopdyga.com
Saturday 1st April, Auteuil racecourse (Paris). - Winner of the Prix Duc d'Anjou Chase (Gr3) for his return to Auteuil last time out, Edward d'Argent (Martaline) confirmed all the more easily on the bigger obstacles in the Prix Fleuret 4yo Chase (Gr3) that his main rival Dalko Moriviere (Balko), who was leading then, almost unseated his jockey when landing awkwradly at the last hurdle in the back straight. Representating British owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, trained by Guillaume Macaire, Edward d'Argent took over just then and proceeded to hold off second-placed Full Glass (Diamond Green) while Dalko somehow recovered to finish very honorably in third. Dalia Grandchamp (Kapgarde) and Dream Roque (Youmzain) withdrawn from the race, they were only four at the start of that penultimate stage towards the Prix Ferdinand Dufaure 4yo Champion Chase (Gr1), scheduled this year on May 21st. The Prix Jean Stern Chase (Gr2), run on Saturday, April 29, is the last step on the way there.
Previous winners of the Prix Fleuret Chase include Westonne (Mansonnien), dam of champion hurdler Device (Poliglote), and AQPS Vanilla Crush (Martaline), winner of the 2013 renewal.
The latter had to settle for 4th place for his return after nearly two years of absence in the Prix Air Landais Chase, a very competitive race won by the popular Bon Augure (My Risk). The Adrien Lacombe-trained gelding was pulled up injured in his clash with the mighty Blue Dragon two years ago, but he came back with a second win this season, holging off every assault in the end, Mon Nickson (Nickname) finishing well in 2nd, beating the only one 5yo of the race, AQPS Caiman Land (Passing Sale). The champion of the Scottish MacLennan family can now aim at the biggest chasing events in France!