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Preview: Grand Steeplechase de Paris.

In the G1 Grand Steeplechase de Paris (6000m), the best French chasers take on a unique test of twenty-three fences at Auteuil. We look at the chance of each runner including reigning champion Docteur de Ballon, young challenger Le Berry and the consistent Feu Follet...

Figuero

Figuero has been racing competitively in top-class events since 2019. He was an impressive thirty length winner of the G1 Prix Maurice Gillois Chase (4400m) as a four-year-old (November 2019) and finished in the frame five times since. The François Nicolle trained gelding was less than two lengths third in the G1 Prix la Haye Jousselin Chase (5500m) in November and that looks to be the formline to follow.

Carriacou

Carriacou is a former winner of the G1 Grand Steeplechase de Paris (6000m) in 2019. He's struggled to run up to that form since, aside from a fourth in the rescheduled 2020 renewal however cannot be dismissed under these conditions.

Feu Follet

Feu Follet has an excellent career record with nine victories and seven placings from twenty-three starts. His best performance came in the rescheduled G1 Grand Steeplechase de Paris (6000m) in October when placing third behind Docteur de Ballon. He started 2021 with a hard-fought success in the G3 Prix Robert de Clermont-Tonnerre Chase (4400m) at Auteuil in March and rates as a place chance.  

Docteur de Ballon

Docteur de Ballon sets the standard in the contest, having completed the G1 Grand Steeplechase de Paris (6000m) and the G1 Prix la Haye Jousselin Chase (5500m) double in the autumn of 2020. He returned after a five-month break with a credible three-quarter length second behind Ajas in the G2 Prix Murat Chase (4400m) and will be primed for back-to-back victories in the contest.  

Eddy de Balme

Eddy de Balme lacks experience compared to his rivals, with only fourteen career outings. He's only finished out of the frame four times and produced another solid performance when third in the G2 Prix Murat Chase (4400m) behind Ajas. This will be his toughest test to date.

Lord du Mesnil

UK raider Lord du Mesnil has an excellent record over staying distances and won the G3 Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (5690m) at Haydock Park (UK) in February. He will be staying on at the end especially if the ground is testing but may lack the class to get involved.

Ajas

Ajas has shown considerable improvement since the start of 2020 and steps back into Group One company for the first time since 2018. He defeated reigning G1 Grand Steeplechase de Paris (6000m) champion Docteur de Ballon in the G2 Prix Murat Chase (4400m) and could be interesting if upholding a similar level of form.

Amour de Mathan

Amour de Mathan lacks the ability at the top level however she does come into the race in good order. She was a fair fourth in the G3 Prix Journaliste Chase (4100m) at Compiegne in April but may need to step up. 

Galleo Conti

Galleo Conti has only had six chase attempts but he has been gradually working up through the grades. He was a strong second in the G3 Prix Robert de Clermont-Tonnerre Chase (4400m) at Auteuil in March and is a potential future champion. This competitive race may come too early in his career.

Le Berry

Le Berry is unbeaten in his last eight starts and is the pick of stable jockey Kevin Nabet. His only career defeat in ten runs came in a G2 hurdle at Auteuil in 2019 and he has gone from strength to strength since switching to fences. He was a comfortable winner of the G1 Prix Maurice Gillois Chase (4400m) for four-year-olds in November and may prove difficult to beat against the older horses. 

Général en Chef

Général en Chef has been given a chance in this race after an impressive eleven length success in the Listed Prix William Head Chase (4700m) at Auteuil in April. This will be a considerably tougher task.

WIN – LE BERRY

DARK HORSE - CARRIACOU