Final trials for the 48h de l’Obstacle take centre stage at Auteuil on Saturday

This Saturday, October 17, Auteuil will stage the final trials ahead of the 48h de l’Obstacle, the major jumps weekend scheduled for November 14 and 15. The leading older chasers and 4-year-old chasers will be in action, along with some of the best 4-year-old hurdlers.

The highlight of the day will be the Prix Heros XII (Group 3, 5:18pm), a key trial for the Prix La Haye Jousselin (Group 1), the autumn's major steeplechase. Ten runners will line up, including Goliath du Rheu. After a long absence, he made a winning return in the Prix Richard et Robert Hennessy (Group 3), the first stepping stone towards La Haye Jousselin. He will start as favourite, but faces some strong opposition. Among his rivals are Bon Garçon, runner-up in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris-Défi des Haras (Group 1), Toscana du Berlais, winner of the 2025 Prix La Haye Jousselin, and Kilomètre Illimité, an exciting young chaser who could be particularly dangerous when the ground becomes softer in November. Kolokico, runner-up in the 2025 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, is another leading contender. Royal Saga will also be interesting to watch on his first attempt at this level, having been one of the best young chasers of his generation.

Earlier in the afternoon, the Prix Orcada (Group 3, 2:33pm) will serve as a trial for the Prix Maurice Gillois (Group 1), the championship steeplechase for 4-year-olds. Métronomique, the leading horse of his generation, made a winning return in the Prix The Fellow-Marquise de Moratalla (Group 3) and will be the one to beat. However, the big and powerful French Lover finished close behind him on September 22 and could give him a serious challenge. Victrix du Mesnil, who finished second to Métronomique in the Prix Ferdinand Dufaure (Group 1) in the spring, will also be looking to build on that performance.

One of the most consistent 4-year-old hurdlers, Delmegan, will be the main attraction in the Prix Pierre de Lassus (Group 3, 4:35pm). She always runs her race and rarely disappoints. With Guadalquivir, who beat her in the Prix de Maisons-Laffitte (Group 3), absent this time, she has every chance of fighting for victory. Her main rival could be Illyadame, who is stepping up to this level for the first time. Unbeaten in three starts, she continues to improve with every race. The experienced and talented Maharaja and Olga de Kiev could also have a say in what promises to be an exciting contest between these two promising fillies.