3 February 2019
Archive Photo of Uroquois at Pau scoopdyga.com
Winner on January 20th of the Grand Prix de Pau (Gr3), Forthing (Barastraight) confirmed in the Grande Course de Haies de Pau Hurdle Race - Prix Max de Ginestet (L), beating Le Rocher (Saint des Saints) by six lengths after leading most of the race. Carriacou (Califet) chllaneged him until the last straight but the Magalen Bryant-owned chestnut took off again and nothing elese to fear remained.
Forthing had already achieved the Grand Prix-Grande Course de Haies double in 2017, but he failed last year in the Grand Prix and had not managed to take a revenge over hurdles. Now trained by David Cottin, the 8-year-old Forthing, bred by Ingrid Desagnat, has 13 wins and more than half a million euros in earnings.
The 2019 Grand Cross de Pau Reverdy, Gaston de Bataille (L) is already one of the best races of the year. 11-year-old AQPS Uroquois (Passing Sale) won again. He too is handled by David Cottin for Magalen Bryant, with Alain de Chitray riding. This is his fourth consecutive victory. Quick in the lead, he seemed in trouble after the second pass of "cheeses". Saying Again (Califet) and Parc Monceau (Trempolino) then tried to seize their chance, but Alain de Chitray let his veteran take his breath and sneaked into the rail to finally take over and win by three lengths over Parc Monceau. To watch the race, which we warmly recommend, click here.
Breeder and owner of Thrilling (Network), Benoît Gabeur won again Sunday at Pau in the Prix Antoine de Palaminy, Prix du Haras de Saint-Vincent (L), the 4yo champion chase, as the Guillaume Macaire-trained gelding redeemed himself brilliantly after his December 22nd fall.
Also trained by Guillaume Macaire, Fiumicino (Sageburg) was pulled up mid-way. However, Altus (Saint of Saints) finished well in second place, beaten by three and a half lengths, and Doctor Squeeze (Doctor Dino) held up well to keep third place for Antonia Devin. Thrilling has in any case clearly dominated her generation again and she is therefore the best chaser of 4 years of the winter meeting in Pau.
The final meeting of the jumps meeting in Pau takes place on Tuesday 5th February. Auteuil reopens on Tuesday, February 26th.