Preview: Auteuil.
Auteuil has another competitive and high-quality programme on Sunday featuring three Listed events and the feature G3 Prix Hypothese Hurdle (3900m). We preview the card.
Race 1 - Listed Prix Air Landais Steeplechase (4400m) (Five-year-olds and above)
A small but select field for the opener on Sunday at Auteuil where most runners have a fair record at the track. Gemini d'Ax has recorded five top three finishes from eight attempts at the Paris venue and was unlucky last time when unseating five out over this track and trip three weeks ago. Gnafron produced a fourth in the same Class One steeplechase earlier this month. If he shows best form, he will have a big chance. Echo de Champdoux is proven in this grade and raced well after a break when runner-up here in the aforementioned Class One. On that form, he rates highly.
Becquarainbow is consistent having placed four times from the past five starts including at Group Three level when second in the G3 Prix Leopold d'Orsetti - Grande Course de Haies de Compiegne (3800m) last November. Doctor Squeeze took to fences well in 2020 but has only had one start since. The seven-year-old is not dismissed. Hano de Loi would be interesting if he repeats his wide margin success from two outings ago.
Race 2 - Listed Prix Le Touquet Steeplechase (3500m) (Four-year-olds only)
Matilda du Berlais has made the frame on every visit to Auteuil (five starts) including last October in the G3 Prix Magne Fillies Hurdle (3600m). She is interesting making her steeplechase debut at this level. La Manigance is a lightly raced filly who did win on first steeplechase attempt by six lengths at Angers three weeks ago. Worth a place and is on the shortlist. Impressive may live up to his name as he is a very consistent performer who showed plenty of ability after a break at Compiegne when second in a Class Two chase. Ikoriko could be considered after a runner-up effort tackling a Class One steeplechase at Auteuil at the start of the month. Saint Paris drops in grade and is a former course and distance winner.
Race 6 - G3 Prix Hypothese Hurdle (3900m) (Five-year-olds and above)
Francois Nicolle is likely to dominate the feature race on Sunday as he has almost half of the runners nominated. L'Autonomie could be the star of the show with the highly consistent seven-year-old mare holding an excellent course and distance profile of seven wins from eight outings and, in addition was the ultra-impressive victor last year by 30 lengths in the G1 Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil (5100m). The one to beat. Stablemate Porto Pollo completed a double at Compiegne before a solid third here on seasonal return in the G3 Prix Juigne Hurdle (3600m). Chance. Hermes Baie was second in that Group Three race three weeks ago. The five-year-old is another former G1 winner in the lineup having found success last year in the G1 Prix Alain du Breil - Course de Haies de Printemps des Quatre Hurdle (3900m). Both hold plenty of appeal.
Folsom Prison is frequently involved at the finish, but he does have a fitness question mark being on reappearance this weekend. Belle Promesse was fifth and Colbert du Berlais ran sixth in the aforementioned G3 Prix Juigne Hurdle (3600m). Place likely best for the pair.
