Happy Easter for Whetstone and Edward d'Argent

Prix Fleuret 4yo Chase (Gr3) favourite Whetstone (Saint des Saints) went on with her series of victories making it three on the bigger obstacles and seven in a row altogether as she left her best rival Joie du Net (Network) six lengths behind. Trained by Guillaume Macaire for American owner Magalen Bryant, who leased her from her breeder Christine Gabeur, Whetstone is a sister to champions So French (Poliglote) and Device (Poliglote). She is now en course for the season's championship, the Prix Ferdinand Dufaure 4yo Chase (Gr1), on May 20. Meanwhile, there is also the Prix Jean Stern 4yo Chase (Gr2) on April 28th, at Auteuil as usual.

Also trained by Guillaume Macaire, but for Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, 5yo Edward d’Argent (Martaline) won the Prix Fleuret last year and then the Prix Jean Stern but he never made it to the Prix Ferdinand Dufaure. The grey was coming back on Sunday in the Prix Guy Hunault Chase, which the won easily.

Also of note is the success of 5yo Janika (Saddler Maker) in the Prix Air Landais Chase, a race won last year by the mighty Bon Augure (My Risk) on his way to sweep the Prix des Drags Chase (Gr2). It was a third winning chase for Janika, a horse trained by Guy Cherel for Munir and Souede, bred by  Hubert and Michel Langot in Sarthe, and who ran 2nd on his chasing debut only last Winter in Pau.