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Weekly Review of French Racing.
Not only were important trial races were conducted at Auteuil for the upcoming November Festival, this past week also featured some quality action across all codes of racing with some performances' worth noting.
Flat
Bordeaux Le Bouscat hosted the G2 Afac French Arabian Breeders Challenge Sprint (1400m) for Pure-Bred Arabian horses, four years and above. There was a surprise winner as the well supported Deryan could only manage second despite looming up dangerously in the home straight and it was Natalma Al Maury proving too strong for jockey and trainer combination Alexandre Gavilan and Olivier Trigodet.
The Listed Prix Turenne (2400m) for three-year-olds was run at Saint Cloud on Wednesday. The Andre Fabre and Mickael Barzalona combination delivered again with Algiers setting the pace and quickening in classy style to handle the grade jump from a maiden to a Black Type event.
Lyon-Parilly staged the Listed Critérium de Lyon (1600m) on Thursday for two-year-olds with a closely bunched finish. It was the Jean-Claude Rouget colt Darkness who nosed ahead where it mattered. He had previously finished fourth in the G3 Prix La Rochette (1400m) at Longchamp and enjoyed the class drop to gain a third career win.
Strasbourg on Sunday staged the Listed Grand Prix de la Région Grand Est - 9e Etape du Défi du Galop (2100m). Top Max was always in control when diving to the stand side rail paid off to maintain his consistent record. He has finished in the top three placings in all starts this summer.
Trotting
Laval was treated to high quality action with the fixture transferred from Vincennes. The G3 Prix Emile Bézière (2850m) for five to seven-year olds was the feature. Most of the field were barefoot but the six-year-old favourite, Violetto Jet put his Enghien disqualification behind as he just prevailed.
A further round of the G3 Grand National du Trot (Prix Roger Ledoyen) (2725m) opened Lisieux's fixture on Wednesday for five to ten-year olds. However, it was the youngsters who were to the fore with the five-year-old Fakir Du Lorault coming with a perfectly timed run to take victory and deny the well supported Elie De Beaufour of another success.
Sunday was the feature race of the week as Vincennes hosted the G1 mounted Prix des Elites (2200m). Feeling Cash finished best after a strong pace was set by Hope On Victory who strung the field out in the early stages. The five-year-old victor managed to keep Flamme Du Goutier behind with the rival closing rapidly in the final strides. No longer the bridesmaid, this was Feeling Cash's first Group One victory after eight placing's at elite level. A narrow success to add to the impressive record of five-year-olds in the event.
Jump
Last Tuesday, Auteuil staged an important fixture in the build up to the highlight of the 2020 jumping season in early November, Festival weekend.
Four feature races were hosted.
The Listed handicap Prix Calabrais (3600m) hurdle went to Alna Top who came with a fast finishing effort on the far side for a well-timed challenge to take victory for Thomas Coutant and Arnaud Chaille-Chaille.
Francois Nicolle had half the field in the G3 Prix Robert Lejeune (3600m) hurdle for three-year-olds which paid dividends. Hermes Baie, the outsider of his trio, came home for a half-length win following-up his course success in July. The three-year-old is open to progress and future could be bright. He will prove hard to beat in the November G1.
This was the first leg of Nicolle's four timer at Auteuil that afternoon!
The master trainer made it a quick-fire double by taking the G3 Prix Ingré (4400m) steeplechase for five-year olds and older. It was Figuero who came with a bust of energy on the stand side to power clear for an authoritative success.
The G3 Prix de Compiègne (3900m) saw the long odds on favourite L'Autonomie score by an impressive eight lengths. It was an eleventh career triumph and the eighth on the bounce.
Saturday was another key trial fixture at Auteuil with two G3 contests and a Listed event.
The G3 Prix Haras d'Etreham - Prix de Chambly (3600m) for three-year-old fillies was the first black type event. Hôtesse du Chênet stormed clear for an eye-catching victory to break the maiden tag at the third time of asking.
Francois Nicolle continued his excellent form by taking the G3 Prix de Maisons-Laffitte hurdle (3600m) for four-year olds with Seduction keeping rivals at bay and prominent stable-rider Angelo Zuliani doing the steering.
The Listed Prix Violon II Handicap Steeplechase (4400m) for five-year olds and above went the way to Redwillow Imperial who was well supported on the PMU and powered on to take the large field contest.
