The Auteuil Feature On Saturday - The G3 Prix Duc d'Anjou Steeplechase.

The G3 Prix duc d'Anjou Steeplechase is the highlight jumping event this weekend. Run at Auteuil on Saturday over 3500m for four-year-olds only, it can often produce a future chasing star for the age group and provide form clues on the big races of the upcoming spring season at the Paris jumping venue...

Facts for the Notebook

• Trainer Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé has won two of the last three renewals (2020 and 2022)
• Last year's winner, Latino des Isles went on to win at G3 level, placed in a G2 and a good fourth last May in the Prix Ferdinand Dufaure Steeplechase (G1)
• Jockey Bertrand Lestrade has ridden the winner of this event three times in the last five years

Prior to final acceptances, Juntos Ganamos heads up the entry list for David Cottin. The stable is currently operating in good form (18% winning strike rate in last 50 runners) and is highly promising. This son of Martaline (who has sired the winner on multiple occasions in recent renewals of this race) is lightly raced however did find success narrowly in the Prix Congress Steeplechase (G2) over 3600m here in November on his first steeplechase start. That contest is a good form pointer to this race having provided the winner in the past. Based on recent trends and the last time-out win, he rates as one of the leading contenders.

Jereviendrai brings more experience than Juntos Ganamos with two wins and one placing from eight career starts to date with five of those runs over fences. Two starts back he recorded a sixth beaten ten lengths behind the aforementioned runner tackling the Prix Congress Steeplechase (G2) over 3600m here in November before a fair fourth at Compiegne later that month at Listed level. This gelding is a previous course Listed winner (last October) so holds claims if showing best form.

Prince Chop is another candidate who represents the David Cottin stable but arrives in mixed form. He won two chases at Cagnes-sur-Mer in style, one by four lengths at the start of December before a nine-length victory two weeks later in the same level steeplechase (Class One) where the form has worked out well. Last time, however, he ran a below par sixth of nine beaten 56 lengths tackling the Listed Prix Christian de l'Hermite Grand Steeple-Chase des 4 ans at Cagnes-sur-Mer , a race conducted under very wet and heavy conditions, so he may need further improvement to feature. Prince Chop has previously placed twice from six runs at this track.

One runner that rates highly is Whiplash du Mathan who is prepared by Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé. The trainer has a good recent record in this race and looks to be a promising four-year-old gelding by Kapgarde. He was off the mark at the fourth attempt when successful in a Class Three Steeplechase over 3500m at Meslay-du-Maine in November before a strong  second contesting the Listed Prix Roger de Minvielle Steeplechase at Compiegne. Following a winter break he can improve further.

Goliath du Rheu maintains a consistent profile with one win and three placings from five career runs including a solid second behind Juntos Ganamos attempting the Prix Congress Steeplechase (G2) over 3600m here in November. His one and only success to date came in impressive fashion four outings ago in a Class One Conditions Hurdle at Compiegne last April. In this contest he is on his second chase start and makes appeal.

Bon Conseil was a fair fifth behind Goliath du Rheu in the key form line, the Prix Congress Steeplechase (G2) last start. He was showing promising form prior to that which included a Class One Conditions Steeplechase success at this course and distance three runs back last September. Open to further progress and looks interesting.

Premier Bleu represents top connections and holds an unexposed profile with one win and one placing from five career starts. Arrives in mixed form but made a highly impressive chase debut winning by fifteen lengths at Pau two runs ago over 3700m at Class Three level on very testing ground in January. Although a disappointing sixth of eight contesting the Listed Prix Camille Duboscq Hurdle at Pau last month, he remains a fascinating runner and with no fitness concerns which will play to his advantage.

Winteriscoming is another with claims on paper bringing a steeplechase record with one victory and one placing from two steeplechase attempts to date including a track and journey Class Two win when last seen in early December. He is unexposed, promising and has experience on side.

Jost arrives in excellent form with a three length victory in a Class Two Conditions Steeplechase over this course and distance preceding a solid runner-up effort tackling the 3400m Prix General de Saint-Didier Hurdle (G3) at Compiegne in November. With a consistent record he could feature.

Last time out winner Slice And Dice, steps up in grade after a narrow victory at Class Two level at Angers last month. This will be harder but has fitness on side.

1.   Juntos Ganamos
2.   Premier Bleu
3.   Whiplash du Mathan