The battle between Vivid Wise As and Etonnant added another exciting chapter on Saturday evening at Cagnes-sur-Mer when the former swept past his rival to gain revenge (again) and take G2 Grand Prix du Département des Alpes-Mari (1609m).

Considering there was only eight runners, the 1609m event was a highly anticipated and exciting race. There were only two horses considered a chance – Vivid Wise As and Etonnant and from their past six encounters it was three wins apiece. 

Drawn four, Etonnant had the upper hand as the mobile arms retracted whilst Vivid Wise As came off gate seven. Bleff Dipa was the pace setter going straight to the lead passing the stands with one circuit of the big Cagnes-sur-Mer track to complete. He set a fair pace before being headed on the first left-handed turn by the two outstanding Group One performers this year, Vivid Wise As and Etonnant who were both two off the inside pegs taking up the first two positions after 500m.

Down the back straight, the group were packed together, all travelling strongly with around eight to ten lengths between first and last. Etonnant had a two-length advantage leaving the far side from the initial (but brief) pacesetter, Bleff Dipa. Vivid Wise As was a close third, one horse off the inside. 

Turning for home, it looked perfect for another Vivid Wise As and Etonnant duel. Only one length split the two eight-year-olds entering the home straight with the Richard Westerink-trained Etonnant on the inside and Alessandro Gocciadoro's Vivid Wise As on his outside. 

Immediately on straightening, Matthieu Abrivard asked Vivid Wise As for maximum effort during the final 350m and he responded going past Etonnant which he did impressively and quickly, getting the better of him at the 200m marker. However, Etonnant gave the Italian cause for concern when rallying again towards the second winning post but Vivid Wise As was able to narrowly make history with the son of Yankee Glide recording a fourth consecutive victory in this Group Two prize, the first horse to do so.

By producing a 1'09''1, Vivid Wise As signs the third best time of the event after his own record (1'08''6) in 2019.

The consistency between Vivid Wise As and Etonnant has provided an enjoyable and exciting year for trotting fans and the result between the pair now is Vivid Wise As - 4 v Etonnant - 3.
 

Vivid Wise As - 4 

G1 Prix de France (2100m)

G1 Prix de l'Atlantique (2150m)

G1 Prix René Ballière (2100m)

G2 Grand Prix du Département des Alpes-Mari (1609m)
 

Etonnant - 3

G1 Grand Critérium de Vitesse de la Côte d'Azur (1609m)

G1 Elitloppet Final (1609m) - Sweden

Grand Prix de Wallonie (2300m) – Belgium