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Weekly Round-Up of French Racing and Trotting - 23rd March 2021.
This week's round-up covers four stakes races at Saint Cloud, two mid-week Listed contests at Chantilly and the G3 Steeplechase Prix Troytown (4400m) at Auteuil...
Flat
The Prix Ronde De Nuit (1100m) was the first of the two Listed at Chantilly on Thursday. It went to the Florian Guyader-trained Hastalavistababy, a surprise result starting the outsider in the field. Held-up behind runners along the inside by jockey Marie Velon, the pair caught the eye travelling kindly with 350m to go. Briefly left waiting for a gap, one soon appeared between rivals and the daughter of Dandy Man stuck on well to prevail by a neck. Ideal Beauty and Kalahara finished second and third, respectively.
Godolphin were in the winner's enclosure on Thursday as the Andre Fabre-trained Urgent Appeal ran out a snug three-quarters of a length winner over British raider Chocoya, in the Listed Prix Montenica (AW) (1300m).
The son of Showcasing was expertly positioned from a wide draw by Mickael Barzalona as the pair sat in a handy second place. Always travelling kindly past the 1000m mark the three-year-old quickened up smartly under hands and heels riding.
An entry is held by the colt in the G1 Poule D'Essai des Poulains (1600m) at Longchamp in May.
There was plenty of top action at Saint Cloud on Sunday with four races at stakes level.
The first of those was the Listed Prix Omnium II (1600m). It was the Christophe Ferland-trained Galik who went on to make all for a comfortable one-and-a-half length success under jockey Julien Auge for owner Guy Pariente. Easter finished in second place whilst Perseverants ran on for third.
The win was a first listed victory for the son of Galiway who last seen scoring at Bordeaux-Le Bouscat on March 5th.
Pretty Tiger produced his third victory of the season and first at stakes level when taking out the Listed Prix Francois Mathet (2100m). The Fabrice Vermeulen-trained three-year-old colt was always well-positioned towards the rear of the field as a frantic gallop was set by stablemate Fourviere. Turning for home Mickael Barzalona had the leader in his sights and the pair quickly sauntered past for an easy four-length success.
The victory was a first at stakes level for Pretty Tiger whilst it brought up a twelfth success for sire Sea The Moon in that company, with Group One winner Alpine Star the standout.
Sweet Lady ran out a ready winner in the Listed Prix La Camargo (1600m) on her three-year-old debut, defeating last year's G1 Prix Marcel Boussac (1600m) champion Tiger Tanaka by six lengths. Positioned in midfield for most of the journey by Mickael Barzalona, the pair came with a long-sustained challenge down the middle of the track to ultimately run out a comfortable winner.
The success represented a 78th victory for Ballylinch Stud-based Lope De Vega at stakes level.
High-class G1 UK Champion Stakes (2000m) runner-up Skalleti returned to winning ways when breezing to success in the G3 Prix Exbury (2000m). The six-year-old gelding made smooth headway on the inside under Pierre-Charles Boudot. The Jerome Reynier-trained son of Kendargent put the race to bed in a matter of strides before strolling to a three and a half-length victory. Grand Glory finished in second with Ecrivain back in third. It was a perfect starting point for the six-year-olds season and loftier targets surely await in what looks sure to be an exciting 2021.
Jumps
Auteuil's season continued Saturday with the G3 Steeplechase Prix Troytown (4400m) taking centre stage. Seven went to post for a competitive renewal and it was the David Cottin-trained Ajas who ran out a three-quarter of a length winner over Poly Grandchamp.
The eventual runner-up set out to make the running under Gaetan Masure with Ajas in close pursuit under Kevin Nabet. This progressive son of No Risk At All moved upsides over the last and ran on strongly to gain the upper hand. The lightly raced seven-year-old looks set to run in the G2 Prix Murat (4400m) and the G3 Prix Ingré (4400m) on his way to the G1 Grand Steeple de Paris (6000m) on May 23rd.
Hermes Baie won the G3 four-year-old Hurdle Prix D'Indy (3600m) on Saturday. The Francois Nicolle trained son of Crillon was always prominently positioned under jockey Bertrand Lestrade. With his mount still seemingly full of running over the last Bertrand Lestrade never looked to get serious as he ran on strongly to record a three-quarter length success. Stablemate Haut Les Coeurs finished second with Jeu De Paume in third.
The unexposed four-year-old looks to have an exciting future and remains one to keep on side within the upcoming months.
