€150,000 Duc d'Anjou 4yo Chase: Karre d'As makes the best of her good hand

Saturday 9 March 2024, Auteuil Racecourse (Paris). – The filly Karre d'As (Balko) put an end to a series of three second places in steeplechase and opened her chasing record for her comeback after 119 days off at the end of a long lead over the €150,000 Duc d'Anjou 4yo Chase (Gr3)’ 2m1 1/2f trip. Owned by Patrice Détré and Philippe Cottin, also co-breeder of the AQPS filly with the late Magalen Bryant, Karre d’As was timely ridden by Charlotte Prichard, who had kept something in the final phase to hold off Chanteur du Bourg (Chœur du Nord), long held in her wake with seemingly plenty in his sleeves. The favourite Kaadam (Saint des Saints) gave his rivals back four to six kilos. He wasn’t fluent on a few occasions, and despite an excellent final effort, he had to settle for 3rd place, less than two lengths behind the 2nd. He beat the filly in their last meeting, in the Prix Congress 3yo Chase (Gr2), on November 11th.

A winner over hurdles on her debut at Compiègne almost a year ago, Karre d'As finished second three times chasing after that, including two first times at Compiègne again.

She is the first foal out of Bonne Passe (Maresca Sorrento), winner of two races in 22 attempts, in a steeplechase (at Pau) and a cross-country (at Blain), before entering stud. She was followed by a Reliable Man filly, who is also in training with David Cottin, and a 2-year-old colt by Moises Has. The 2nd dam, Iroquoise II (Dom Pasquini), also won a couple of cross-country races for the Cottin family.