French national: D'Jango unchained

Sunday, May 17th, 2020, Auteuil. - The "French National", the €155,000 Prix du Président de la République Handicap Chase (Gr3), the top handicap chase of the season at Auteuil, returned to D'Jango (Balko), woned by the Papot family and trained by Patrice Quinton.

Held up in the rear in this 20-runners three-miler, he made headway in the last bend and came into the 2nd last fence in 6th and took over Cafertiti (Fairly Ransom) in the run-in to score by three lengths. Eight lengths behind in third, the favourite Fou Délice (Poliglote) fought hard to hold off Fanfaron Spécial (Gentlewave) and No Risk For You (No Risk At All), beaten a neck and a short neck.

This consistent AQPS bred in the Nièvre by Jacques Cyprès and Laurent Couétil was always in the money so far but had won only twice. He had just completed a good Winter meeting at Pau and finished third for his return at Auteuil in the Karcimont Handicap Chase won on heavy ground on March 1 by The Golden Boy (Myboycharlie), unlucky top-weight of this "President".

D'Jango is out of Quizas Jolie (Rock Video), winner of the Christian de Tredern Mares Hurdle (L) at Auteuil for Mrs. Jacques Cyprès after having notably won the Prix de Craon (Gr1 AQPS), the AQPS "Arc".

Auteuil’s 122nd “President” is her first foal and only winner to date. D’Jango’s third dam is a full sister to the champion chasers The Fellow and Al Capone II.