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Preview: Prix La Haye Jousselin.
The G1 Prix la Haye Jousselin (5500m) attracts the best steeplechasers in France. There are twenty-two fences to be negotiated on the course at Auteuil, including the notorious Rail-Ditch and Fence (the Juge de Paix). We look at the leading contenders for this year's renewal...
Figuero
Figuero has not been able to feature in two starts since a fall in the G1 Grand Steeplechase de Paris (6000m) in May. He was beaten over ten lengths when fifth in the G3 Prix Heros (4400m) and may need to recapture better form to feature.
Enjeu d'Arthal
Enjeu d'Arthal has only had two outings since a year-long absence. He produced a solid effort when second behind Feu Follet in a conditions hurdle at Auteuil before finishing sixth in the G3 Prix Heros (4400m). The seven-year-old may need to step up on that performance.
Carriacou
Carriacou won the 2019 renewal of the G1 Grand Steeplechase de Paris (6000m) and was given a light campaign in 2020. He has finished in the frame five times from six outings in 2021, including a second in this year's G1 Grand Steeplechase de Paris (6000m). Carriacou returned after a five-month break with a promising third in the G3 Prix Heros (4400m) and will step forward for the run.
Feu Follet
Feu Follet bounced back from a fall in the G1 Grand Steeplechase de Paris (6000m) with a double in lower grade races including G2 Prix des Drags (4400m). He was disappointing in the G3 Prix Heros (4400m) and should bounce back to better order.
Eddy de Balme
Eddy de Balme was a credible sixth in the G1 Grand Steeplechase de Paris (6000m) and produced a big effort subsequently when second in the Listed Prix Richard et Robert Hennessy (4400m). He probably falls short of winning at this level but could feature in the frame.
Srelighonn
Srelighonn steps up in class after a comfortable win in a Class A conditions at Auteuil on seasonal reappearance. He was a useful second in the G3 Prix Heros (4400m) in 2020 and could be a dark horse.
Poly Grandchamp
Poly Grandchamp is a consistent performer at the top level with four placings from the last five outings. He was a good second in the G2 Prix des Drags (4400m) in June and cannot be dismissed in these kind of races.
General En Chef
General En Chef is a lightly raced five-year-old compared to the rest of the field. He out-ran long odds to finish fourth in the 2021 G1 Grand Steeplechase de Paris (6000m) and is potentially still improving having won and placed since a short break.
Le Berry
Le Berry is an exciting chaser with ten wins from twelve career starts. He finished fifth in the 2021 G1 Grand Steeplechase de Paris (6000m) and won the G3 Prix Heros (4400m) on reappearance after a short spell. All seven horses from that contest re-oppose and he could uphold the form.