14 March 2019
Photo scoopdyga.com
The day after the Cheltenham festival, some of the best French jumpers, who remained in France for the best, will be jumping at Auteuil.
The Prix Troytown Chase (Gr3) is the second major milestone on the road to the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris (Gr1), scheduled this year on May 19th. Two weeks after the victory of Le Costaud in the Prix Robert de Clermont-Tonnerre Chase (Gr3) beating seven rivals, they are only five going to the start of the "Troytown". The main attraction of the race will be the return of Saint Goustan Blue (Blue Brazil), probably one of the most talented chasers in the country. Owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede - like the previous winner Srelighonn - will also start for the first time for trainer Dominique Bressou after starting his career with Guillaume Macaire. James Reveley will ride, as he won already seven times out of ten with him.
Second in the Prix La Haye Jousselin Chase (Gr1) to Bipolaire in 2018, he then unseated his jockey at the rail-ditch-and-fence in the Prix Georges Courtois Chase (Gr2). The winner of the 2014 Grand Steeple Storm of Saintly (Saint of Saints), still trained by Guillaume Macaire and recent second for his comeback over hurdles at Fontainebleau. Their three opponents, Bob and Co (Dom Alco), 5-year-old AQPS Edgeoy (Saddler Maker) and 6-year-old mare Dalia Grandchamp (Kapgarde), are all trained by François Nicolle.
The other group race of Saturday's meeting at Auteuil is the Prix d'Indy Hurdle (Gr3), where the best 4-year-old hurdlers meet. This is the first test of this promotion this year on Auteuil's hurdles. The first two home in last November Prix Cambaceres 3yo HUrdle (Gr1) are not present. The winner Beaumec de Houelle is now a sire, the second Pic d'Orhy is in Great Britain (he runs in the Triumph Hurdle on Friday). The third L'Autonomie (Blue Brésil) is however present among the nine potential successors to Tunis - who also entered stud this winter.
The fourth of the "Cambaceres", Farnice (Saddler Maker) is at Auteuil on Saturday but to run his first steeple-chase in the Prix Didier Mescam Chase.
The Prix Samaritain Hurdle will be the scene of the hurdling debut of the younger sister of champion Blue Dragon, the 4y-year-old filly Fabulous Dragoness (Poliglote), undefeated in four flat races, including the Prix Jacques de Vienne (Gr1-AQPS) ), for owner Magalen Bryant.
Before becoming one of the top hurdlers of his generation, Pic d'Orhy won the Prix Rush Hurdle, which is also competed on Saturday along with the female version, the Prix Auricula Hurdle, won last year by Listenmania.