Congress 3yo Chase Preview: The Chasing Derby

Between them, the 7 runners of this Congress 3yo Chase (Gr2), the "3-year-olds' Grand Steeple" total eleven performances over the bigger obstacles, which clearly shows the level of uncertainty so early in the selection.
Winner of what could most resemble a preparatory event, the Noiro 3yo CHase at Auteuil, I’m Walkin (Martaline) has got a few aces in his sleeve, not least because some of his new rivals are also discovering Auteuil.
This is the first draft for this promotion, and it will undoubtedly be instructive ...

• 1. I’M WALKIN (g3, FRA by Martaline and Tango Lima, by Turgeon) Weight: 10-10 / No rating

Trained in Charente by François Nicolle, he has just made a successful start chasing at Auteuil, beating Losange Vert in the run-in, with Baladin de Mesc (who competes in the Cambacérès Hurdle on Sunday) in 3rd..

• 2. LOSANGE VERT (g3, FRA by Montmartre and Sweet Valrose, by Cadoudal) Weight: 10-7 / No rating

Trained in the Manche by Dominique Bressou, he ran over hurdles five times from March to July, without winning, before starting chasing in September at Auteuil. Third on this occasion, he won the next trial before getting beat by I’m Walkin’s Law in the Noiro 3yo Chase.

• 3. HADES (g3, FRA by Masterstroke and Vénus de Beaumont, by Assessor) Weight: 10-6 / No rating

Trained at Maisons-Laffitte by Jehan Bertran de Balanda, he took three places over hurdles before making a successful start on the steeplechase in the Weather Permitting 3yo Chase, beating Kapking and Losange Vert.

• 4. HAWAI TREE (f3, FRA by Joshua Tree and Vanika Place, by Kapgarde) Weight: 10-6 / No rating

Trained in Chantilly by David Cottin, she is the only filly in the race. She won her first hurdle race at Rochefort-sur-Loire after three attempts, getting better with every run, and then changed yards to join David Cottin's. She started victoriously for her new connections chasing at Le Touquet, then confirmed at Compiègne by winning by a short neck.

• 5. MAGIC DREAM (c3, FRA by Saint des Saints and Magic Poline, by Trempolino) Weight: 10-6 / No rating

Trained at Royan-La Palmyre by Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé, he started with a distant (15 lengths) third place in the Pride of Kildare 3yo Hurdle race, a beginners race at Auteuil, and then won easily for his chasing debut.

• 6. RISK DU BRIZAIS (g3, FRA by No Risk At All and Diane du Brizais, by Trempolino) Weight: 10-6 / No rating

Trained at Royan-La Palmyre by Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé, he will discover Auteuil for his third chase. Winner over hurdles this summer in the provinces, he then ran his first chase and won at Dax before finishing second at Toulouse.

• 7. ENJOY YOUR LIFE (g3, FRA by Bathyrhon and Madoudal, by Cadoudal) Weight: 10-6 / No rating

Trained at Maisons-Laffitte by Yannick Fouin, he started in March with a fifth-place over hurdles and won six months later for his second attempt on the same course. It is also and finally at Compiègne that he has just completed his first chase and finished fourth.