Auteuil Action of French Racing.
We look back at the three Group One contests that have been held at Auteuil over the last month: the Prix Renaud du Vivier Hurdle, the Prix Cambaceres Grand Course De Hailes Des 3 Ans Hurdle and the Prix Maurice Gillois Steeplechase….
Prix Renaud du Vivier Hurdle
The Group One Prix Renaud du Vivier (3900m) is one of the biggest events in the jumping calendar and offers a winter championship contest for four-year-olds. In the last three years, it has been won by future stars such as L'Autonomie, Master Dino and De Bon Coeur. The favourite James du Berlais was looking to add his name to this illustrious list. There was a difference in opinion amongst the jockeys as to where the best ground was and the field spread across the track throughout. Six runners were positioned to win entering the home-straight, however it was the son of Martaline, Moises Has, who scored by a short head despite a bad error at the final hurdle. He showed plenty of determination to deny James du Berlais and the win gave trainer François Nicolle a third success in this event in the last twenty years.
Prix Maurice Gillois - Grand Steeplechase des 4 Ans
Le Berry maintained his excellent record and made it six straight victories with a success in the Group One Prix Maurice Gillois - Grand Steeplechase des 4 Ans (4400m). He has improved considerably for the switch to fences and remains unbeaten over the larger obstacles – his smallest winning margin is eight lengths. Facing a field of six competitors, Le Berry made all and was challenged at the last obstacle by eventual third Magrudy. The grey gelding quickened clear after the final fence and won comfortably with eight lengths back to the second placed Galleo Conti. Trainer David Cottin has another exciting prospect on his hands.
Prix Cambaceres (Grand Course De Haies Des 3 Ans) Hurdle
The Group One Prix Cambaceres (Grand Course De Haies Des 3 Ans) Hurdle at Auteuil brings together the best of the three-year-old hurdling generation. It was another exciting renewal with the favourite Theleme triumphing by ten lengths. The Arnaud Chaille Chaille trained gelding had only raced three times prior to this step up in grade, winning the Group Two Prix Georges de Talhouet-Roy (3600m) at Auteuil in mid-October. Theleme took the lead in the early stages and comfortably took control of the race between the last two hurdles. Jockey Thomas Coutant had little to do and won impressively ahead of the Francois Nicolle-trained Raffles Face.
