Leading contenders for Prix La Haye Jousselin Steeplechase.
The G1 Prix La Haye Jousselin Steeplechase (5500m) for five-year olds and above on Sunday. It is the Autumn Steeplechase highlight for five year olds and above. Stamina and good jumping will be required to take victory. Five-year-olds will carry 66kg and six-year olds and older will have 68kg. We look at some of the leading contenders in the line-up…
Docteur De Ballon - Docteur De Ballon is a lightly raced eight-year-old who stamped his authority in the rescheduled G1 Grand Steeple-Chase De Paris (6000m) at Auteuil six weeks ago, powering on for a five length victory. Trainer Louisa Carberry has a chance of making racing history if the gelding can complete the double (Grand Steeplechase de Paris/Jousselin), especially in a unique year when both races have been rescheduled and run six weeks apart. His black type and Auteuil records are good, and could be involved if replicating his quality in the G1 success last month.
Lord Du Mesnil - Lord Du Mesnil might be an outsider but is one who could outrun odds for UK trainer Richard Hobson. He sent De Forgotten One across the Channel earlier this week to win easily at Compiegne on Tuesday. The seven year old son of Saint Des Saints may have question marks regarding his class at this top level but has shown ability in staying handicap chase contests in the UK including a good two length second in the G3 Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at Haydock Park in February over 5700m on testing ground. He took a further step forward at the Cheltenham Festival to finish runner up in the G2 National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Riders' Novices' Chase (6018m) in March and will appreciate plenty of rain as a confirmed stayer.
Figuero - Figuero is one of the least experienced runners in this year's field with this five-year-old having twelve runs to date. Those efforts have been classy, and he comes into this with a shout. The gelding has achieved seven career victories already including the 2019 G1 Prix Maurice Gillois - Grand Steeple-Chase Des 4 Ans (4400m) - by an impressive thirty lengths. On top of that, his most recent triumph came at Auteuil in September in the G3 Prix Ingre (4400m). This son of Yeats holds a good Black type history and course record so could be in the mix at the finish.
Roxinela - Roxinela is a classy seven-year-old mare who finished fifth of eight in this feature G1 last year. The daughter of Muhtathir quickly bounced back to deliver a success in the 2019 G2 Prix Georges Courtois (4400m) by a nose from Edgeoy. Throughout this summer her form has been mixed with only one win and two placings. Those came in the G2 Prix Des Drags (4400m) in July when winning by a length and the two placings in the Listed Prix Rigoletto (4500m) at Compiegne in June and at Auteuil in September. Two runs back she showed promise in the G1 Grand Steeple-Chase De Paris (6000m) when fifth thirteen lengths behind Docteur De Ballon. With a step forward, Roxinela could be an interesting candidate.
Feu Follet - Feu Follet runs for the inform Macaire stable who have a good strike rate currently. Throughout the 2019 season the son of Kapgarde showed plenty of promise with multiple placings in Group company at this venue. His 2020 return in March was notable, winning by seven lengths at Compiegne in a 3800m chase before a consistent summer campaign. A close runner up in the G2 Prix Murat (4400m) in May to Ebonite before two fourths in G3 level is a notable level of form. The five-year-old gelding showed top-class ability when six lengths behind in third position to Docteur De Ballon six weeks ago in the G1 Grand Steeple-Chase De Paris (6000m). On that evidence, he makes the shortlist.
D'Jango - D'Jango will be having his fourth attempt in Black type level on Sunday after three runs this season including a fifth in the Listed Prix Violon Ii (4400m) at the end of September at Auteuil. He showed ability and consistency last winter and with improvement and experience at this level, the seven-year-old son of Balko may finish closer than tenth in the G1 Grand Steeple-Chase De Paris (6000m) last month.
Blasimon - Blasimon is one of only a few contenders who come into this event as a last start winner. He found success in the Listed Prix General Donnio (4400m) three weeks ago by one length from Lou Buck's. The six-year-old son of Soave holds good form at this venue and is racing well with two wins from his last three outings. The Francois Nicolle contender now needs to prove himself at the top level.
