3 minute read
Auteuil – 10th October 2021.
| Date | Sunday 10 October |
| Venue | Auteuil (Heavy) |
| Race | R8 - Prix du Nouveau Cercle de l'Union - Prix Paul's Cray (3600m) |
| Type | Handicap hurdle for three-year-olds only |
| Winner | Mourinho Has |
| Jockey | Gaëtan Masure |
| Trainer | François Nicolle |
| Breeding | Saint des Saints x Monika |
| Second | Heart Wood |
| Third | Selma |
Three-year-old son of Saint des Saints, Mourinho Has recorded a first career success at the fourth attempt winning last Sunday at Auteuil. He travelled strongly throughout and jumped well showing a game attitude on the heavy ground to pull clear at the finish.
Settled in midfield throughout, jockey Gaetan Masure was able to relax the gelding into a nice rhythm racing toward the outside of the track which allowed him to settle and create space and time.
With 1000m to go, it still looked an open race with many chances. As the field exited the back straight the winner was around five lengths behind the leader, Javado. The François Nicolle trained three-year-old was forced the best part of six horses deep negotiating the final turn with the runners keeping off the inside to race on less churned-up ground. Mourinho was widest of all.
The jockey gently nudged away upon entering the home straight and managed to move to the grandstand rail. He was sharing the lead two out and was awkward on landing but when seriously asked a question he jumped the last professionally and rallied well in the closing stages to be a two and a half length winner.
Bred by S.C.E.A. Hamel Stud, he has been running well and shown promise with a fair debut sixth in what a looked a very good race at Auteuil over 3000m in April. Magistrato who was second in that April event made a winning UK debut in style last week at Chepstow for top UK jumps trainer, Paul Nicholls. The third, Imprenable has also boosted the form with two vicotories since, including in the Listed Prix des Platanes Hurdle (3600m) last month. After this promising first career effort, he progressed with a fair fourth later in April before making the frame for the first time at Compiegne in a 3400m condtions hurdle on seasonal return a month ago.
The son of the top-class jumper, Saint des Saints (who is one of the France's leading National Hunt stallions having produced thirteen Group One winners) it is likely that further progress is within reach. Racing for top trainer, François Nicolle suggests this three-year-old is one to note.
