Grand Finale at Auteuil
Grand Finale at Auteuil
This Saturday, Auteuil will host its final meeting of the first half of the season, in order to avoid the intense heat of June. Four Group races are on the card: the Prix des Drags (Group 2), Hypothèse (Group 3), La Périchole (Group 3), and Questarabad (Group 3).
There will be ten runners in the Prix des Drags, once considered a consolation for the Grand Steeple but now a target in its own right. Kador de Ciergues (Masterstroke), who favours good ground, comes into the race following a winning comeback over hurdles. He was initially meant to run in the Prix Xavier de Chevigny (Listed), which was eventually cancelled. He thus arrives in this Group 2 very well positioned. The defending champion Jojo Lapin (Cokoriko) will be back on track, bringing the freshness advantage. The Pamart-Chaillé-Chaillé partnership will be represented by two horses: Kashdam (Kapgarde) and Bon Garçon (Masterstroke). Both were kept away from the Grand Steeple, even though they could have competed. Kashdam would have preferred softer ground, but he did win the Prix Robert de Clermont-Tonnerre (Gr3). Bon Garçon has the quality to win a race of this calibre. Pistache Doré(Sommerabend), effective in the first half of the year, just landed the Prix Rigoletto (Listed) and will be well treated at the weights. Ventura Highway (Kapgarde) has been prepared specifically with the Prix des Drags as his spring target.
A Prix Hypothèse That Has Drawn a Crowd
The Prix Hypothèse has swapped places in the calendar with the Prix La Barka (Group 2) and has attracted a strong field of fourteen runners. Square Saint Roch (Polarix), absent from the Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil (Gr1) where he would have been among the favourites, lines up after his win in the Prix La Barka and a convincing third-place finish in the Prix Léon Rambaud (Gr2), which was his first attempt over 4,300 metres. Le Philosophe (Doctor Dino), a Compiègne specialist, won the Grand Steeple (Gr2) there in 2024. He will wear blinkers for the first time and is among the potential winners, as is Amy du Kiff (Kapgarde), former winner of the Prix Maurice Gillois (Gr1), and also formidable over hurdles. Kyrov (Dark Angel) has strong credentials in this discipline. Kandy Park (Waldpark), Losange Vert Bleu (Night Wish)—who will also be wearing blinkers for the first time—and Javanaise (Free Port Lux), winner of the Prix Christian de Tredern (Gr3), are also ones to watch.
Kirakine Aiming for a First Group Win
The Prix La Périchole (Gr3) has attracted nine runners. Kirakine (Muhtathir) delivered a brilliant win in the Prix Philippe Ménager (L) after a change in tactics, running from the front. Not entered in the Prix Ferdinand Dufaure (Gr1), she goes directly for this Group 3 as a leading contender. Withdrawn from the Prix Ferdinand Dufaure, Polo et Marie (Beaumec de Houelle) finished second in the Prix Hopper (Gr3) and also has a strong chance, as do Lebrio des Mottes (Castle du Berlais) and Le Carignan (Cokoriko).
A Questarabad Now Like a High-Class Handicap
The Prix Questarabad (Gr3) resembles a true luxury handicap this year. Djin’s (It’s Gino), already a Group 3 winner, needs to bounce back as he is better than his last two runs suggest. Diamond du Berlais (Zarak), excellent in the Prix Christian de Tredern (Gr3) on Tuesday, will look to confirm his form. It’s Win O’Clock (Ivanhowe), kept away from the Prix Alain du Breil (Gr1), is targeting victory before continuing his progression. Lancier (Karaktar), a well-regarded horse, lived up to expectations with a brilliant win on his return. Lumino Bello (Goliath du Berlais), also highly regarded, makes his seasonal debut but has what it takes to win this race.