Les trois ans sur les haies en 2021

Hello all. If this thread is in the incorrect place then please feel free to move same or signpost me to a more appropriate location. Similarly if the title is completely nonsensical then do amend.

Apologies in advance for this post being in English - a sad indictment on our education system. Also, my translator is asleep... Hopefully google translate can do a sufficient job of the reader making sense of the following...

I am a racing enthusiast based, for all of my sins, in England. I specialise in "juvenile hurdlers" which makes the three year old division of French hurdlers of a particular interest to myself. Tomorrow will see the introduction of this year's crop which provokes my observations of what is occurring across la manche. My understanding of the French season is threadbare, and it is my hope that this thread will enable me to develop a better familiarity with the inevitable exports to Great Britain and Ireland later in the season. While my knowledge base will have to come from race, trainer and stallion trends along with pedigree research, I am more than happy to share my work. I may have questions that become apparent and if anybody has answers to same then I would be especially grateful. Similarly, if I am making blinding errors then please do not be afraid to point them out. I would much prefer to be aware of my ignorance than to be proud and oblivious.

The Prix d'Essai des Poulains is one of 18 debutant (important) races in the division and while it does not quite match the Prix Finot or Prix Wild Monarch for short and long term impact, it is still an invariably useful guide to the future.



Since 2008, which is where my records begin, it has produced a Prix Alain du Breil winner in For Fun (2018/2019) and while it has not produced a winner of the Prix Cambaceres during this time, it did introduce three seconds in Champ De Bataille (2014), Tunis (2017) and Raffles Face (2020). Incidentally, none of the aforementioned horses actually won on their debuts. The race has also had twelve exported juveniles, most notably Grandouet (2010), Sceau Royal (2015), Msassa (2017) and potentially the strongest of all, Quilixios (2020). In the long term, the best runners to have been introduced in tomorrow's contest have been Roi Mage (2016), Halley (2010) and Buddy Banks (2015) with the aforementioned Grandouet and Sceau Royal achieving the greatest success abroad.

Twelve trainers have horses entered in tomorrow's two divisions, their records in this contest are as follows;-

I have done a (very rudimentary) chart for each race pertinent to the records of the sires and trainers involved. The information contained are as follows;-

sex - (g = gelding/hongre, c = colt/horse, f = filly/femelle)
fam - family number
DI - Dosage index
Sire - Etalon ***information drawn from France Galop and records all 3YO performances over obstacles in France since 2004***
Runners - sire's individual runners in 3YO obstacle races since 2004
Winners - individual winners etc...
Runs - total runs
Wins - total wins
wr - winner:runner ratio
sr - total strike rate
p:r - prize money per run
Trainer - Entraineur ***information drawn from collation of each French 3YO obstacle race and their predecessors valued at €45,000 and above since 2008***
All run - trainer's runners in such races
w - trainer's wins in such races
sr - strike rate
cr - clear round ***percentage of runners who did not get a "T" (tombe - fall/unseat) classification in their results - used as a measure of how well horses are schooled***
Deb run - Runners in debut (inedits) races ***In these sheets, "inedits" are taken in isolation - in other races such as conditions or pattern contests, these factors will be isolated***
Deb win - Winners in debut races
SR - strike rate in debut races
CR - clear round in debut races
S - (fairly arbitrary) sire ranking
T - (fairly arbitrary) trainer ranking
H - combination of sire and trainer rankings



PEDIGREES
1st row - name, colour, sex, trainer, racecourse record
2nd row - sire (damsire){family}(DI) close notable relative*
3rd row - selected other relatives*

*Notable relatives are styled as follows;-
0.5 = half sibling
1/1 = full sibling
1/0 = dam/mere
2/0 = granddam/mere
2/1 = 2nd dam / 1st dam of-
3/2 = 3rd dam / 2nd dam of-

Monjules bg Butel & Beaunez f5-0-0 (27.0)
Rajsaman (Librettist){3-d}(0.90) 1/0 Equilibriste 1st 3500m Handicap Hurdle (51.0), Cagnes-sur-Mer 2014
2/1 Regal Viking 3/1 Sailor Jack 4/2 Perdono
Milton grg Eric Lecoiffier f5-0-1 (29.5) 31.0
Morandi (Tomorrow's Cat){2-d}(3.00) 0.5 Mystical Night 1st 3700m Claiming Hurdle, Sable 2020
4/3 Politeo 5/3 Quevillon
Boogie bg Butel & Beaunez f2-0-0
Sri Putra (Early March){8-f}(0.60) 3/2 Difficult Times 3rd West Yorkshire Hurdle (G2), Wetherby 1996
2/1 Paris Seychelles 2/1 Asylum
Latino des Isles bg Arnaud Chaille-Chaille Unraced
Martaline (Trempolino){1-o}(0.67) 1/0 Isle Enchantee 3rd Prix Sagan (L), Auteuil 2011
2/0 Isle 2/1 Little Island 3/1 Mesange Royale
Red Alex bg D. Cottin Unraced
Alex The Winner (Cadoudal){4-j}(2.11) 0.5 Rouge Vif 3rd Tingle Creek Chase (G1), Sandown 2020
0.5 Ruthenoise 0.5 Rouge Et Sage 1/2 Ozamo
Gibralfaro bg Francois Nicolle Unraced
Prince Gibraltar (Cape Cross){9-c}(1.11) 2/1 At Your Request 2nd Fred Winter (L,118), Cheltenham 2005
2/2 Hollyster 3/2 Coat Of Honour 3/3 Dragon Dancer
Hunion Delablaire bg Bertrand Lefevre Unraced
Feel Like Dancing (Kingsala){7-f}(0.47) 3/1 Dechenu 2nd Prix Nicolas Feuillatte (XC), Craon 1996
4/2 Salder Roque 4/3 Antiseptique
Primco bg Patrice Lenogue Unraced
Bathyrhon (Martaline){36}(0.57) 1/0 Pafadas 1st Prix de Chambly (L), Auteuil 2013
0.5 Mauricius 0.5 Altus 2/1 Marwinas
Cadet Vert bg Francois Nicolle Unraced
Network (Martaline){20-a}(0.21) 1/1 Premier Vert 2nd Prix Kargal, Auteuil 2020
1/0 Katkodile 2/2 Kool Has 3/0 Kotkita
Odiago bg Arnaud Chaille-Chaille Unraced
Night Wish (Tremoplino){1-u}(0.78) 2/0 Lolita du Berlais 3rd Prix Girofla, Auteuil 2009
3/1 Bonita du Berlais 3/1 Nikita du Berlais 3/1 Bonito du Berlais



Surprising bg D. Windrif f6-2-0 (32.0) 32.5
Charm Spirit (Rock Of Gibraltar){4-d}(1.00) 0.5 Song Of The Sky 1st 2m Handicap Chase (113). Lingfield 2019
0.5 Uncle Norman 4/2 Royal Etranger
Saint Isabe bg Guillaume Macaire Unraced
Saint Des Saints (Diamond Green){14-c}(0.78) 1/0 Isabe 1st Prix Gerald de Rockefort (L,4YO), Auteuil 2016
2/1 Horse Maha 2/0 Maharina
Impressive bg Guillaume Macaire Unraced
Kapgarde (Protektor){2-f}(0.82) 1/0 Terrific 2nd Prix Pelat, Auteuil 2014
2/0 Fassination 3/2 So French 4/1 Nononito
Fou du Roi bg David Cottin Unraced
Triple Threat (Sageburg){9-f}(0.57) 0.5 Feu Follet 2nd Prix la Haye Jousselin (G1), Auteuil 2020
0.5 Fiere de Toi 2/1 Fou et Sage 3/1 Far West
Tonguetted bg Guillaume Macaire Unraced
Kapgarde (Poliglote){1-x}(0.78) 2/1 Buddy Banks 1st Prix Duc d'Anjou (G3), Auteuil 2016
1/0 Lady Poliglote 2/1 Road Senam 2/1 Miss Senam
Mister Vision bc Francois Nicolle Unraced
Vision d'Etat (Saint des Saints){6-a}(0.60) 1/1 Solenzera Senam 1st Prix Roger de Minvielle (L), Compiegne 2020
2/1 Oculi 2/2 Argentique 3/2 Balko
Lorddelouest grg Bertrand Lefevre Unraced
Lord du Sud (Saint des Saints){7-f}(0.43) 3/1 Dechenu 2nd Prix Nicolas Feuillatte (XC), Craon 1996
1/0 Huzyreine 3/1 Huzera 4/2 Salder Roque
Bathystik bg Daniela Mele Unraced
Bathyrhon (Poliglote){3-g}(0.60) 0.5 Flegmatik 1st 2m Novices' Handicap Chase (126), Carlisle 2020
1/0 Crack d'Emble 2/0 Maren Kassel 2/2 Fou du Bresil
Ilvientdela Baie bg Dominique Bressou Unraced
Crillon (Anabaa Blue){5-e}(1.57) 2/1 Septime Severe 1st 4000m Handicap Hurdle (59), Lyon-Parilly 2013
1/0 Montaraza 3/2 Willdance 3/3 Magneto
Treasure Keeper bc Kevin Herzog Unraced
Gemix (Footstepsinthesand){13}(0.50) 2/1 Icar 4th 3800m Conditions Hurdle, Wissembourg 2018
no other notable jumps relatives

If there are any questions from the reader, relative to clarification and/or elaboration, then I will try my best to answer. I am also very open to suggestions and critiques.

I do have questions of my own and will probably have more as the weeks progress. For starters;-

I have used family numbers and dosage indexes in the charts. These are completely ignored in Great Britain and Ireland. Is it a similar case in France?

When a trainer or owner has multiple entries, how much respect should be given to jockey bookings?

In the above scenario, are betting patterns a reliable guide to expectations?

How much credence can given to flat form? It is generally used to give embryonic jumpers racecourse experience? Is it used as a fitness exercise? Are there instances where a horse with good flat form are switched to hurdles as three year olds?

Thank you.

Many thanks for accepting the post and for changing the title. Even if the only thing I learn from this thread is how to correctly say "three year hurdlers", it will have been worthwhile!

Tomorrow, there will be four stallions having their first runners over obstacles in France. Determining how proficient they will be in their new vocation is not a precise science. Nevertheless, while imperfect evidence will not lead to answers, they may lead to clues.

I made a table last year looking at the attributes of the ten most and least successful stallions of GB/IRE juvenile hurdlers in recent times. Generally speaking, a good sire of young hurdlers will have a dosage index lower than 1.00, be at least 1.64m tall and have good form over middle distances and further on soft ground. As always, there are some exceptions, but the trends follow a general pattern.



So the four new stallions in question;-



Apart from having good class, Charm Spirit would appear to have poor attributes for the division. However, while Invincible Spirit was a moderate sire himself in UK/IRE and has not even had a three year old runner over obstacles in France, he is not a bad sire of sires in the sphere as his own sons, Born To Sea and Lawman, have shown themselves to be quite capable. Furthermore, Montelimar (sire of Grand National winners Hedgehunter and Monty's Pass) can be found at 4/3 on Charm Spirit's damline. It should be noted that his jumps runners in the UK and Ireland have achieved little thus far.

Night Wish ticks the right boxes insofar as size and stamina are concerned and his own sire Sholokhov was excellent in the division. His sole stallion son to date, Timos, has already had winners. Triple Threat may not be especially tall, but he is by Monsun who has produced Maxios, Masterstroke, Manduro and Getaway with dual Champion Hurdle runner-up Melon appearing at 4/4 on the damline. Morandi gives least rise for optimism although his nephew (1/2) Canford Cliffs is not an unsuccessful juvenile sire in GB/IRE.

Question Time
Whose idea was it to sell Authorized to Turkey and has that person been sent to Île du Diable?

Thank you.

This is my first attempt at reviewing and rating French races. While forgiveness for alarming errors might be nice, corrections to my observations and processes will be greatly appreciated!

09/03/2021 Prix d'Essai des Poulains (A) Compiègne 3,200m Très souple (4,1)
Race review
This looked the weaker of the two divisions beforehand in terms of trainers and pedigrees represented. It also looked the weaker in the contest itself. The early pace was slow and the winning time 9.31 seconds slower than the second group. Several of the fancied runners jumped poorly and the proximity of the runner-up devalues the form as he had been well beaten on two flat outings last Autumn. Notwithstanding, the runner-up jumped particularly well and the winner did finish strongly so there is still some promise in this field.

Latino des Isles, following the withdrawal of Odiago, was the sole representative of Arnaud Chaille-Chaille - a trainer with a strong record in the discipline and a couple of placings in this contest. A son of Martaline (Beaumec de Houelle, Nirvana du Berlais, Kotkikova), out of Prix Sagan third Isle Enchantee and from the family of Isle, Mesange Royale and Royaleety, Latino des Isles is bred to flourish as a young hurdler. Held up in midfield, he largely jumped well apart from slightly steadying into the second, sixth and seventh. He was restrained prior to the turn for home and jumped the penultimate flight in last position. The field was still tightly grouped however and while he wandered somewhat up the straight, he ran on strongly from the run-in to grab victory strides from the line. Given that the field finished in a bunch, the runner-up had twice been well beaten on the flat and the winning time was moderate, the bare form is not up to a great standard. Nevertheless, Latino des Isles emerges from the contest with a great deal of promise and with experience, should leave this performance behind. 55.0

Boogie achieved little in a pair of flat outings at Clairefontaine and Saint-Cloud last Autumn, and neither his breeding nor connections suggested that his going off as outside was inappropriate. However, Boogie gave a revelatory performance, leading from the outset and posting much the best round of hurdling in the field. But for the strong finish of Latino des Isles, Boogie looked likely to pull off the upset and he emerges with credit for extending his advantage over the remainder of the field. He was the beneficiary of sound jumping and optimal tactics which gives him less scope than a few of his rivals. Notwithstanding, he ought to have a future in the discipline and while the bigger races look beyond his capacity, Boogie should have little problem gaining compensation in a lesser contest. 54.5

Hunion Delablaire represented one of the less prolific stables in the field and while sire Feel Like Dancing has had a winner in the division, the pedigree suggests that he will be more a long term prospect. Another settled in midfield, Hunion Delablaire made only minor errors during the contest but he did find himself outpaced leaving the back. He was able to get within a length of the lead at the final hurdle, but was unable to make further inroads and lost a position on the run-in. Hunion Delablaire is a horse with some ability, although he may need a sterner test before he begins to fulfil his potential. 53.0

Red Alex, representing a David Cottin who does respectably in debutant races, is a half-brother to Rouge Vif and uncle of Ozamo. With a distaff line full of talented chasers, jumping should be in the blood of Red Alex. However, after being steady and/or close between the third and fifth hurdles, his hurdling deteriorated even further over the final three flights where he was close and untidy to the extent that Anthony Renard did well to maintain the partnership. Red Alex tracked the leader throughout and was still in second after the penultimate hurdle. However, the accumulation of errors had a telling effect as he eventually faded into fourth. Red Alex is a horse with ability and develop into a useful prospect, but he needs to become more confident over his hurdles. 52.0

Cadet Vert was the first runner from the magnificent Kotkie family of the season and is a full-brother to last year's useful three-year-old chaser Premier Vert. He started the shorter price of the two Nicolle runners, although sire Network has a stronger record with chasers which already appears to be the future for Cadet Vert. Waited with towards the rear, the giant Cadet Vert jumped perfectly safely with the only criticism being that he was slightly big over a couple. He was not able to land a real blow on the contest, largely running on at the one pace. Nevertheless, he was able to overcome instances of interference despite being green which bodes well for his future. Cadet Vert could be one to look forward to in the Autumn. 51.0

Gibralfaro is from the second crop of Prince Gibraltar and is related to capable hurdling types without any being superstars. Though the second string of the Nicolle pair, he was not unfancied in the betting. Held up in the rear, Gibalfaro was big and slow over the first before being baulked on landing at the second. His next two jumps were of a nervous nature before settling into a better rhythm. Gibralfaro was close enough to challenge after jumping two out but was unable to make an impact and though he suffered slight interference after the last, it was not to any great detriment to his performance. A clearer passage and more assured hurdling might enable him to improve, but there is only moderate encouragement on this evidence. 50.5

Primco is not unfeasibly bred for the discipline as his sire enjoyed reasonable success with his first hurdling crop last year and the damline contains several useful performers. However, Patrice Lenogue is not a prolific trainer and there were no real expectations in the market. Primco was tense during the preliminaries and after losing his rider at the practice hurdle, almost did the same at the first. His jumping, while not perfect, did improve from thereon and he was able to reach a threatening position in the straight. The effort was not sustained however, and Primco would be passed by all but one rival. Although he was not disgraced, Primco looks unlikely to succeed at this standard. 50.0

Monjules was the most experienced horse coming into this contest, although he was unable to be competitive in five outings on the flat including in claiming company. His dam won an ordinary handicap hurdle but little else in his profile indicated he could be dangerous here and this was reflected in the betting. Racing prominently, Mojules was keen in the early stages and made mistakes throughout the contest before trailing in last place. There is no promise on this evidence. 45.0

09/03/2021 Prix d'Essai des Poulains (B,) Compiègne 3,200m Très souple (4,1)
Race review
In comparison to the first division of the season's curtain raiser, this looked the stronger contest as it featured three Lageneste/Macaire runners alongside representatives of Nicolle, Mele, Bressou and Cottin. Compelling pedigrees were also abundant with close relatives of Buddy Banks, Feu Follet, Oculi, Saint Calvados and Terrific featuring among the runners. In the event, it was the son of the latter named, the appropriately named Impressive, who landed the spoils. The pace was honest and not only was the winning time 9.31 seconds faster than the first division, but it was also the quickest of any renewal of the race since it was switched from Enghien (albeit on the firmest ground). Furthermore, the prominent positions were filled by those entitled to be there and the margins were respectable. If there is a caveat, it is that Surprising, a claimer on the flat, was likely to finish third but for falling at the last. Notwithstanding, he was still a dual winner in that sphere and the front two look like highly promising types regardless.

Impressive was the longest priced of the three Macaire entries, but was still representing a yard with seven previous wins in the contest. The progeny of Kapgarde invariably improve with age, but plenty of his offspring are capable of good form as three year olds including Want Of A Nail who appears at 3/2 on Impressive's damline. Initially ridden with restraint, he made steady headway during the second circuit and travelled strongly to jump the penultimate flight with a share of the lead. Impressive cleared the last with a length's advantage and he readily increased his superiority after being gently shaken up prior to being eased before the post to run out a very comfortable two-and-a-half length winner. His jumping was very proficient for a debutant with the only possible qualm over his round being that he was slightly steady and close to the sixth. The ease of his success was far greater than the margin between himself and the runner-up who also jumped very well, and the winning time was very commendable. While it is imprudent to overestimate a horse's potential after a solitary run, particularly in the context of a debutant race, the limited evidence is overwhelmingly positive. Though the writer selfishly wishes to see Impressive find a new home abroad, he should be a horse to look forward to regardless of his location. 61.0

Tonguetted is a stablemate of Impressive and being the mount of James Reveley, was the shortest price of the three Macaire runners. Another son of Kapgarde, Tonguetted is a nephew of Buddy Banks who won this race in 2015 ahead of a successful Autumn chasing campaign. Tracking the leaders throughout, he put in a clean round of hurdling and held every chance up the straight. Though he could not match the winner for finishing pace, Tonguetted still ran on strongly to finish seven lengths clear of the remainder. This was a perfectly satisfactory debut and although he may struggle to reverse placings with Impressive, Tonguetted has a future in the game and can reach a decent standard. 58.0

Master Vision was one of three runners for Francois Nicolle across the two divisions, and probably emerged with the most credit of the trio. A son of Vision d'Etat (De Bon Coeur), Master Vision is a full-brother to the stable's useful chaser of last season, Solenzera Senam. Ridden to race in close order, his position was often compromised by untidy and ill-judged hurdling - particularly at the eighth where he was close to tipping over. He turned for home in fifth and was able to make up a place prior to the last where he was left in third. Nevertheless, he posed no threat to the front pair. This was not an effort without promise although his hurdling will need to improve if he is to progress. 54.5

Fou du Roi was the first runner for sire Triple Threat over obstacles, but his being a half-brother to the top class Feu Follet no doubt contributed to his starting as the clear favourite. Sent into a clear lead by Kévin Nabet, Fou du Roi did not jump badly per se, but there was a marked tendency to jump right handed. He was brought to the stands side in the straight in an attempt to offset same, but this caused him to skew and forfeit his lead from where he would fade into fourth. Better was clearly expected, but his habit needs to be arrested lest he struggle to be competitive in the decent French races which are predominantly contested on left-handed circuits. 51.5

Saint Isabe is by the powerful Saint Des Saints, although while he is a nephew of the capable Horse Maha, his was not the strongest pedigree on offer. Held up in touch, his jumping was largely sound if a little big on occasion. However, he was unable to make any impact on the contest and while he can develop with time and experience, Saint Isabe is not an obvious star in the making. 49.0

Ilvientdela Baie can count Magneto, who also finished sixth in this race last season, as a relative at 3/3, but he is not the most precociously bred. Held up in the rear, his race was an uneventful one as while he hurdled sufficiently save for an error at the sixth, he never reached a threatening position prior to finishing over thirty lengths behind the winner. Ilvientdela Baie's safe jumping might make him of interest in a lesser contest, but he will need to improve to be competitive at a major track. 45.0

Lorddelouest's closest notable relative is a cross-country chaser and being by Lord du Sud, his future lies over further in due course. He ran an uneventful race, jumping safely without ever leaving the rear. 43.5

Treasure Keeper had negligible prospects on breeding and was representing a trainer having his first runner in such a contest. His chances were reflected by large odds and by his performance. Though initially taking the lead, mistakes saw him drop quickly to the rear and he became detached down the back straight. Treasure Keeper was pulled up before jumping two out. 35.5

Bathystik is out of a winning hurdler and his granddam won the Prix Sagan in 1993. Saint Calvados is another close relative, but a likable pedigree did not resonate in the betting. In any case, Bathystik landed steeply at the first and was unable to stay on his feet. Mercifully, he appeared to be none the worse for his tumble. 0.0

Surprising was the surprise package of the contest as while he was competing in claiming company on the flat, he was in the process of running a good race when unseating at the last. He broke his maiden at Nancy last September whereafter he was claimed out of the Eoghan O'Neill yard for €12,000. After twice finishing down the field, he won again over 1,650 meters when last seen at Amiens in October. His €10,000 tag did not attract any buyers, but despite unfavourable breeding and the moderate record of his trainer, he was not totally unfancied on his hurdling debut starting at 14/1. Settled behind the pacesetter, his jumping was respectable with only minor scruples on his approaches to the second and fifth flights. Surprising took off at the penultimate flight with a share of the lead but a combination of fatigue and absentmindedness saw him misjudge the last where he gave Nicolas Gauffenic no chance of maintaining the partnership. Whether he would have held on for third is debatable, and his proximity in the contest could potentially anchor the form. Nevertheless, his flat experience did give him something of an edge and a decent showing was not unexpected. Surprising lacks the scope of his rivals and would have few pretentions of being this competitive at a major venue. Nevertheless, he could be a good value purchase who can collect more wins at the provincial racecourses. 54.5

Wednesday sees the introduction of the fillies to the division in Compiegne's Prix d'Essai des Pouliches. While not as strong as the Prix Wild Monarch, it can be spoken of in the same bracket as the Auricula, Geographie and Finot. Traditionally, it is not a race which generally attracts the interest of foreign buyers with Never Adapt (Nicky Henderson 2018), Magie du Ma (David Pipe 2016) and Miss Tique (Venetia Williams 2011) the only purchases of note. Domestically, the race's most successful graduates was probably Francois Nicolle's A Mi Manera (2016), while Caresse d'Estruval landed the Magne/de Chambly/d'Iena treble in 2015 and Kada Rique won the latter two in 2014.

Here are the records of the sires and trainers with declared runners in Wednesday's contest.
General sire and trainer statistics.*


Pedigrees
Lassana bf Sebastien Culin f8-0-5 (32.0) 33.5
Nathaniel (Sageburg){22-b}(0.71) 2/1 La Route 1st 3yo Conditions Hurdle, Lyon Parilly 2007
2/2 La Joyeuse Sage 3/1 Lost Angel 60.0 14-2-7
With Me chf Yoeri Mathijs f17-2-12 (32.5) 36.5
Kheleyf (Septieme Ciel){7-f}(3.50) 2/1 Mundo 2nd Prix Roger Saint (L,4yC), Enghien 2007
0.5 Black Bolt 3/3 Amore Alato 4/5 Libaute
Star In Chope grf Mickael Seror f4-0-0 (27.0) 29.0 (Cedric Boutin)
Vale Of York (Panis){20-d}(0.82) 2/1 Vandaletta 1st 4yo Conditions Chase, Pau 2018
2/1 Pastel De Nata 5/3 Hargam
Idylle du Seuil grf Mickael Seror Unraced
Gris de Gris (Robin des Champs){8-f}(0.45) 2/0 Paula de Vilaine 1st Conditions Chase, Vittel 1999
2/1 Polo du Seuil
Iris du Seuil bf Mickael Seror Unraced
American Devil (Anabaa Blue){4-r}(1.86) 1/1 Heaven du Seuil 1st 3yo Claiming Hurdle, Les Sables-d'Olonne 2020
5/3 Master Dino
Sparkling Gem grf Guillaume Macaire Unraced
Silver Frost (Muhtathir){16}(3.00) 2/0 Hunorisk 1st Prix Finot (L), Auteuil 2004
2/1 Otto The Great 2/2 Lolla Belle 4/1 Grand Seigneur
Matera bf Francois Nicolle Unraced
Turgeon (Muhtathir){8-c}(2.00) 1/1 Tavera 1st Prix James Hennessy (L), Auteuil 2017
2/1 Madushka 3/1 Bon Tresor 4/1 Grand Tresor
Emakume Aske Bat chf Guillaume Macaire Unraced
Nicaron (Martaline){4-i}(0.67) 2/1 Roi Mage 3rd Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris (G1), Auteuil 2019
1/0 Ribambelle 2/0 Royale Majesty 2/1 My Way
Gilda chf Francois-Marie Cottin Unraced
Prince Gibraltar (Creachadoir){7-e}(0.67) 2/2 Bernardo Bellotto 2nd Prix General de Saint-Didier (G3), Compiegne 2018
2/1 Syphax 4/1 Video Rock
Calodyne bf David Windrif Unraced
Jeu St Eloi (Chichicastenango){1-w}(0.60) 2/0 New Saga 2nd Prix Achille-Fould (L), Auteuil 2006
0.5 Garylou 2/1 Nom de Famille 3/1 Nickname
Royale Margaux chf Jerome Larrigade Unraced
Doctor Dino (Villez){1-e}(1.00) 0.5 Royale Pagaille 1st Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (G2,156), Haydock 2021
0.5 Royal Astarania 1/0 Royale Cazoumaille 2/2 Roll On Has
La Cuenta bf David Windrif f1-0-0
Choeur du Nord (Martaline){8-c}(0.33) 2/1 Vie Royale 1st 3400m Conditions Chase, Enghien 2013
1/0 Viva La Playa 3/1 Vodka Bleu
Rhelighonne bf Francois Nicolle Unraced
Great Pretender (Poliglote){22-d}(0.63) 2/0 Eliga 1st Prix Andre Michel (G3), Auteuil 2008
2/1 Srelighonn 2/1 Trheliga 4/1 Tataniano
Mi Aime A Ou bf Arnaud Chaille-Chaille Unraced
Jeu St Eloi (Robin des Champs){20-a}(0.71) 0.5 Piton des Neiges 1st Gran Corsa Siepi d'Italia (G1), Merano 2020
3/1 Card'son 3/1 Djagble 3/2 Blingless
Itours Brun grf Donatien Sourdeau de Beauregard Unraced
Free Port Lux (Dom Alco){2-i}(0.71) 2/1 Jeux Olympiques 1st 4100m AQPS Steeple Chase, Auteuil 2002
1/0 Valgardena 3/0 Mamoussia 3/1 Haut Cercy
Place Morny bf Butel & Beaunez Unraced
Davidoff (Evasive){5-h}(0.71) 2/1 La Madeleine 3rd Prix Amadou (G2), Auteuil 2016
1/0 Place des Ternes 2/1 La Goutte d'Or
I Run bf Mathieu Pitart Unraced
Elliptique (Doyen){4-r}(0.50) 0.5 Sidelskie 3rd 4200m Conditions Hurdle, Argentan 2020
3/2 Notre Jury 3/4 Nurmi 4/1 Network
Dantza Basc bf Erwan Grall Unraced ns€2000 Osarus 2019
Davidoff (Astarabad){3-i}(0.57) 2/1 Grand Spectacle 6th Prix Cambaceres (G1), Auteuil 2011
1/0 Castagna 3/1 Aficion 4/1 Bazas

*In the opening post, I erroneously stated information drawn from France Galop and records all 3YO performances over obstacles in France since 2004. The first part of that sentence was true, but the second part WAS INCORRECT. Over the weekend, I learned (to my dismay) that a stallion's record for the season in any given division will only show if the sire had a winner in same. For example, if a stallion had a winner in 2017 and a dozen runners without a win in 2018, my records had those losers discounted which is statistically useless. Indeed, a part of this mishap was my reporting that Charm Spirit had yet to have a three-year-old race over hurdles in France which turned out to be untrue. For this I can only apologise. Accordingly, the statistics shown in the table for sires DO now show their entire record with three-year-olds over obstacles going back to 2008.

In Wednesday's race, there will be two stallions having their first runners over hurdles (I have double checked!)

Elliptique won the 2016 Bayerisches Zuchtrennen but while this was a Group One success, it was not at the highest level. Though not of an imposing nature, he is still a reasonable size and is closely related to useful hurdlers Le Vagabond (1/2) and Superb Story (2/2) along with My Maj's sire Majorien (3/1). New Approach is a capable sire of young hurdlers, although that has not transferred to his own sons at this stage as Dawn Approach and Libertarian have yet to achieve any success in the discipline.

Another resident at Haras de Cercy, Free Port Lux managed two wins at Group Two level on the flat. Standing at 1.70m, he is a giant stamp of a horse, taller than the vast majority of stallions. Though he is by Oasis Dream, whose record as a jumps sire is poor, his pedigree has plenty of stamina. His dam was second in the Prix Vermeille, he is 3/2 with German Derby winner Robertico, and top stayers/jumps sires Ardross, Alflora and Scorpion all descend from his fourth dam. Furthermore, while Oasis Dream is not a good direct sire of jumpers, his own sons often get more than their fair share of winners in the discipline from limited numbers.

Thank you.

Here is the review for Wednesday's contest. Tomorrow will see the the first three-year-old races of the season to be held at Auteuil, the previews for which will be drawn after today's racing at Cheltenham.

17/03/2021 Prix d'Essai des Pouliches Compiègne 3,200m Très lourd (5,3)
The Prix d'Essai des Pouliches has a solid record of producing good fillies, although this year's renewal did not look especially above-average. Contested in bottomless ground, many of the participants struggled with jumping, the ground, or a combination of both. The departure of Rhelighonne and the proximity of Lassana and I Run perhaps further negates the quality of the form. The front pair might develop into useful types, but it would be a surprise if races such as the Auricula, Geographie and Wild Monarch do not have stronger fields.

Mi Aime A Ou, the sole representative of Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé, gave her trainer his second victory in this event from four attempts. A half-sister to Italian Grade One winner Piton des Neiges from the family of talented juveniles Card'son, Blingless and Djagble, she continued Jeu St Eloi's respectable start as a sire. Sent off the joint fourth favourite at 12.0, Mi Aime A Ou raced towards the rear of midfield sticking to the inside throughout. She took closer order turning into the straight and was not asked any serious questions until jumping the last whereafter she needed most of the run-in to get past the runner-up. Her cause was not helped by some questionable jumping as she was big over the third, steep at the fifth and did not get high over the last which caused her to land flat footed. That she was able to overcome this round offers promise for her future with natural improvement in this department and while the bare form is not especially strong, she is capable of better form. 54.5

Sparkling Gem was the chosen mount of James Reveley which, in turn, made her the shorter priced of the two Lageneste/Macaire runners. Though her granddam won the Prix Finot and her fourth dam produced Grand Seigneur, this daughter of Silver Frost rather lacked in the depth of pedigree usually found with the stable's youngsters. Nevertheless, she made a pleasing introduction to her career and apart from being big over the fifth and minor errors at the fourth and seventh, her jumping was the best on display. Tracking the leaders from the start, she soon moved into a prominent position and was either sharing or keeping close to the lead from there. A neat jump at the last gave her a clear advantage and was brave in her attempt to fend off the winner, ceding with just 25 metres to run. The pace set was fairly brisk considering the conditions. There has yet to be evidence of acceleration so one can not speculate that more patient tactics could have improved her placing. Nevertheless, breeding and the manner of her finish do suggest that Sparkling Gem could benefit from a sounder surface. 54.5

Lassana does not have the typical jumps pedigree prevalent in this type of company. Nevertheless, in a curious matter, while Nathaniel has had only one winning three-year-old jumper in France from eight, his record with young hurdlers in Britain and Ireland is of the highest standard. Though perhaps more famous for siring Enable, Nathaniel has also produced talented juveniles in Burning Victory, Navajo Pass and Zanahiyr. A common trait of his progeny is their ability to handle soft ground which was helpful in Lassana's performance here. An eight race maiden on the flat, Lassana was keen in the early stages before settling in a prominent position. Apart from slightly steadying into the first, third and sixth, she jumped well from the front and made her only serious mistake at the last when getting very close and blundering badly. This cost Lassana a share of the lead, valuable momentum and any realistic chance of winning the race. The front pair left her from here but she was able to hold on to third. Given her two kilo penalty, this was a creditable performance although it does anchor the form as it far exceeds anything she achieved on the flat. It will be interesting to see if she can replicate this performance as it would be more than enough to win minor races. 54.0

I Run's trainer, Mathieu Pitart, has yet to saddle a winning three-year-old hurdler from eleven attempts in valuable contests. Furthermore, I Run was the first runner over hurdles for 2016 Bayerisches Zuchtrennen winner Elliptique. Though related to winners and from the family of Network, the pedigree is bereft of classy jumpers. These factors made the starting price of 26.0 appear reasonable and the performance was also a fair reflection. Another who started keenly near the front, her jumping featured numerous errors including being big over the sixth, missing the seventh and getting close into the ninth. I Run became outpaced during the straight but was still able to run on at the one pace to the finish, beaten nearly eight lengths at the end. This was a respectable performance and she could prove better over further in time, although there is little to suggest she might reach the upper echelons of this division. 51.0

Itours Brun is another daughter of a debutant stallion, the dual Grade Two winning Free Port Lux. The damline predominantly features those whose greatest success came in staying and cross-country chases and Itours Brun shaped as though that will be her future. Held up in midfield, her progress in the closing stages was more to stamina than acceleration. Itours Brun was also prone to errors and while she was not disgraced, the most appropriate way to describe her at this stage would be unfurnished. 48.0

Emakume Aske Bat was the stablemate of Sparkling Gem which alongside her breeding, made her somewhat disappointing. Nicaron produced Rocknicara and Al Cuarto to win debutant contests and the dam's talented siblings - Roi Mage and My Way - both placed in similar events. However, despite these credentials, Emakume Aske Bat was beaten by almost twenty-two lengths. Tracking the leaders, she was big over the second but was otherwise tidy before her jumping became tired in the straight. It is possible she lacked fitness or struggled in the ground and given her profile, she can be given another chance to prove herself. 44.5

Star In Chope, a daughter of Breeders Cup Juvenile winner Vale Of York and related 3/2 to Valyra, is bred to be a flat horse but achieved little in that sphere. Her switch to hurdling appears to be an afterthought and a performance which saw her lack fluency without leaving the rear, this discipline is unlikely to bring a change in fortune. 31.0

Idylle du Seuil, a stablemate of Star In Chope, has a more appropriate pedigree for the game, albeit one which still offers little encouragement for a high level. Keen in midfield, she made numerous errors before being the last to complete. 31.0

Matera was the longer priced of the two Francois Nicolle runners, but was still the second favourite in the market. A full-sister to listed winner Tavera, and out of a full-sister to Prix Durtain runner-up Madushka, Matera can also count Bon Tresor, Grand Tresor and Cher Tresor among her relatives. Held up but in touch, she turned into the straight close enough to land a challenge. However, she was unable to move into a prominent position and was competing for fifth place when taking a tired fall at the last. Other than getting tight to the sixth, she jumped respectably to that point, although she looks unlikely to replicate Ladyville who was second in this race for connections last season. 47.0

Rhelighonne, by Great Pretender and closely related to Eliga, Trheliga and Srelighonn, was the favourite for the contest and appeared to still be travelling well when falling at the ninth. However, her jumping to that point was still littered with errors and unless she improves in this area, she will be vulnerable in above-average company.

Calodyne has a respectable pedigree which contains the likes of New Saga (2/0), Nom de Famille (2/1), Newness (3/0), Nickname (3/1), N'Avoue Jamais (3/1) to name a few. However, she was sent off the rank outsider and though she had yet to be asked a serious question, she was a long way from the lead when tripping and unseating at the ninth.

La Cuenta, despite having raced once on the flat, is bred to be more a chaser and was not well fancied in the betting. Though there were a few mistakes along the way, she was still just in touch when very badly hampered by the fall of Rhelighonne. This effectively ended her race and was pulled up before two-out. Nevertheless, while it might be worth little, her effort was the most promising of the arrêtée.

Place Morny is out of a half-sister to Prix Amadou third La Madeleine, although her overall profile was not the most compelling and she fared worst of those who raced prominently. Keen in the early stages, she skewed slightly at the first, was close and untidy at the fourth, close and steady at the sixth and low at the eighth. She faded rapidly after the next and was pulled up before the penultimate flight.

Gilda is a distant relative classy jumps sire Video Rock, but did not have the strongest profile here. Racing in midfield, her jumping lacked fluency and she was pulled up before two-out.

Royale Margaux is from the family of some useful juveniles and is a half-sister to Royale Pagaille. However, she was big and often clumsy with her jumping in the rear and made little headway before pulling up turning for home. Possible long term prospect but no immediate promise.

Dantza Basc counts Grand Spectacle (2/1), Aficion (3/1) and Bazas (4/1) among her relatives, but she was unsold after attracting only €2,000 as a yearling and her trainer is without a winner from seventeen in valuable juvenile contests. In the event, Dantza Basc made several errors in the rear and was pulled up a tired horse.

Iris du Seuil never left the rear and jumped poorly before pulling up two out. A full-sister to a winning claimer, that looks to be her level if she has one.

With Me is related to winning jumpers, but Kheleyf has a poor record with hurdlers. Though initially in a fairly prominent position, With Me jumped poorly and dropped through the field before pulling up at the seventh. She won twice on the flat and will have to return to that sphere to find success.

Two intriguing newcomers' contests tomorrow, the Prix Rush for the colts and geldings, and the Prix Auricula for the fillies.

The Prix Rush has a long and solid history of producing young jumpers who regularly make an impact during their initial campaigns. Since 2000, the contest has introduced five winners of the Prix Cambacérès, namely Royaleety, Don Lino, Esmondo, Master Dino and Nirvana du Berlais. Robin Des Champs, Balko and pic d'Orhy are other successful three-year-old hurdlers while recently, Goliath Du Berlais and Edward d'Argent became accomplished young chasers. The race has also produced a good number of successful exports including Sam Winner, Twinlight, Cerium, Twist Magic, Burrows Saint and Terrefort to name but a few. This year's renewal could well be up to scratch, with the yards of Arnaud Chaille-Chaille, Guillaume Macaire and Francois Nicolle represented by close relatives of Tamaroc du Mathan, Top Notch and Queen des Places respectively.

Rhone bg Jehan Bertran de Balanda f6-0-3 (34.0)
Dark Angel (Teofilo){1-b}(0.60) no jumps relatives
Cuzco du Mathan grc Arnaud Chaille-Chaille Unraced
Martaline (Turgeon){8-g}(0.57) 0.5 Tamaroc du Mathan 1st Pendil Novices' Chase (G2), Kempton 2021
1/0 Thisbee du Mathan 1/1 Bolid du Mathan 2/1 Odeillo du Mathan
Sans Bruit bg Louis Baudron f1-0-0
Triple Threat (Teofilo){14-e}(0.52) 2/1 Toughari 2nd 3yo Maiden Hurdle, Fairyhouse 2020
3/3 Golden Sage
Walfer chg David Windrif Unraced
Masked Marvel (Nickname){4-c}(0.39) 2/1 Full Blast 3rd Prix d'Essai des Poulains, Enghien 2014
1/0 Sainte Apoline 3/1 Easter Day 5/5 The New One
Brainstorm bc Guillaume Macaire Unraced
No Risk At All (Hawk Wing){12-g}(1.00) 2/1 Top Notch 1st 1965 Chase (G2), Ascot 2017
1/0 She Hates Me 0.5 Yes Indeed 0.5 Never Adapt
Na Has bc Francois Nicolle Unraced
Saint Des Saints (Kahyasi){1-k}(0.78) 1/0 Chegei Has 2nd Prix Alain du Breil (G1), Auteuil 2012
0.5 Chata Joana Has 2/1 Nabuco Has 2/1 Nadia Has
Imitateur bg Erwan Grall Unraced
Coastal Path (Octagonal){14-a}(0.87) 1/1 Bosseur 2nd Prix Alain du Briel (G1), Auteuil 2015
1/0 Suite 1/1 Gagneur 2/1 Professeur
Chess Master bg Francois Nicolle f1-0-0
Slickly (Hawk Wing){16-h}(0.87) 1/0 Al Doha 3400m 4yo Conditions Hurdle, Compiegne 2013
0.5 Webmaster 2/0 First Charm 3/1 First Dream
Iceo Madrik bg Francois-Marie Cottin Unraced
Choeur du Nord (Esprit du Nord){9}(1.40) 1/0 Sunday Madrik 1st Prix du Perray (CondF-SC), Auteuil 2012
0.5 Gump Madrik 2/1 Belle Madrik 3/1 Lucia Santa
Ironman des Places bg Francois Nicolle Unraced
Great Pretender (Sabrehill){8-f}(0.71) 1/0 Queen des Places 2nd Prix Ferdinand Dufaure (G1), Auteuil 2008
0.5 Emir des Places 2/1 Allblak des Places 5/2 Don't Be Shy
Lorason bg Gabriel Leenders Unraced
Gentlewave (Kahyasi){8-a}(0.80) 0.5 Anneloralas 2nd Prix Fifrelet (L,62.0), Auteuil 2020
0.5 Trust The Captain 2/0 Dedale 2/1 Detalasse
Iniesta du Gouet bg Francois Nicolle Unraced
Coastal Path (Saint des Saints){8-f}(0.82) 2/0 My Asadore 1st Prix Auricula, Auteuil 2004
2/1 Elixir du Gouet 2/1 My Alco 3/1 Asador
Odiago bg Arnaud Chaille-Chaille Unraced
Night Wish (Tremoplino){1-u}(0.78) 2/0 Lolita du Berlais 3rd Prix Girofla, Auteuil 2009
3/1 Bonita du Berlais 3/1 Nikita du Berlais 3/1 Bonito du Berlais

Later on the card is the Prix Auricula for the fillies. Though not as exalted as the Prix Rush, it too has produced a fair number of talented sorts in Pafadas, Salsa Melody, Listenmania and Aterisk along with Stormy Ireland, Tarla and Gitane du Berlais who would each enjoy success with Willie Mullins. Tomorrow's edition contains a good amount of well bred fillies, with particular attention drawn to Ispanoza, a Macaire trained sister to Prince Ali, and De Bonne Grace who is a sister to the magnificent De Bon Coeur.

The Grey Lady grf Arnaud Chaille-Chaille Unraced
Saint des Saints (Martaline){16-a}(0.50) 1/0 Turn In Grey 1st Prix Christian de Trédern (G3,FM), Auteuil 2015
2/1 Coogie Bay 5/3 Le Pianiste
Miss Falcon grf Francois Nicolle Unraced
Montmartre (Presenting){1-t}(0.38) 2/1 El Presente 1st 3m1f Handicap Chase (L,142), Wincanton 2020
1/0 La Pinede 3/1 Golden Silver 3/1 Diamond Boy
Lady Martaline bf Francois Nicolle Unraced
Martaline (Turgeon){26}(0.67) 1/0 Ladytown 1st Prix Prince d'Ecouen (L,65.0), Auteuil 2012
0.5 Ladyville 2/0 Ladies View 3/2 Shannon Rock
Hinspo Express bf Gabriel Leenders Unraced
Rock Of Gibraltar (Nayef){5-g}(2.20) 3/1 Desert Mist 1st Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle (G2), Wetherby 1992
2/1 Cal Mac
De Bonne Grace blf Francois Nicolle Unraced
Vision d'Etat (Saint Des Saints){31}(0.33) 1/1 De Bon Coeur 1st Grand Course de Haies (G1), Auteuil 2018
0.5 Gai Luron 1/0 Santa Bamba3/1 French Crusader
Ispanoza blf Guillaume Macaire Unraced
Kapgarde (Coroner){8-a}(0.67) 1/1 Prince Ali 1st Prix Alain du Breil (G1), Auteuil 2017
1/0 Novolae 2/0 Caldea 2/1 Rixe Veto
Aurore Verte bf Guillaume Macaire Unraced
Kapgarde (Turgeon){23}(1.40) 0.5 Punch Nantais 1st Prix Ferdinand Dufaure (G1), Auteuil 2016
0.5 Reine Troodos 0.5 Diable Nantais 0.5 Passionnantaise
Bellissima Girl bf Dominique Bressou Unraced
Kapgarde (Pistolet Bleu){8-c}(1.15) 0.5 Dynaste 2nd King George VI Chase (G1), Kempton 2014
1/0 Bellissima De Mai 0.5 Duphine Ererine 2/1 Miroir du Lac
Marta Laujac blf Francois Nicolle Unraced
Martaline (Vettori){16-d}(0.67) 0.5 Polidayana Laujac 4th Prix Sytaj (G3), Auteuil 2020
1/0 Dayde 2/1 Olofi 3/2 Don Lino
Out Of Risk bf David Cottin Unraced
No Risk At All (King's Best){2-w}(0.60) 2/1 Amarantine 4th Prix Renaud du Vivier (G1), Auteuil 2014
0.5 Nobody Knows 2/1 Trazar 2/2 Echoes In Rain
Uzuri Mbaya bf Artus Adeline De Boisbrunet Unraced
Kitkou (Rochesson){10-c}(0.33) 2/1 Hacadou du Perche 1st Prix Lutteur III (78.0), Auteuil 2000
0.5 Beaute Fatal 0.5 Fatal Beauty 2/1 Sonydale du Perche

Prix Rush 2021 - Auteuil
Haies - 3 ans - Mâles - 52.000 € - 3.000 mètres - Terrain collant - Temps total 3'54"63
Pour poulains entiers et hongres de 3 ans, n'ayant jamais couru. Poids : 68 kg. Les poulains n'ayant pas couru cinq fois, en courses au Galop, recevront 2 kg.
🗓 samedi 20 mars

LORASON (gb), hongre, bai, né en 2018, par Gentlewave (ire) et Loralas, par Kahyasi (ire)
Entraîneur : Gabriel Leenders
Lieu d'entraînement : Maine et Loire
Propriétaires : Christopher John Edwards (34 %), David Futter (33 %), Gabriel Leenders (33 %)
Eleveur : Yorton Farm

Réaction de Gabriel Leenders (co-propriétaire, entraîneur) après la victoire de Lorason dans le Prix Rush 2021 :

Prix Auricula 2021 - Auteuil
Haies - 3 ans - Femelles - 52.000 € - 3.000 mètres - Terrain collant - Temps total 3'52"91
Pour pouliches de 3 ans, n'ayant jamais couru. Poids : 68 kg. Les pouliches n'ayant pas couru cinq fois, en courses au Galop, recevront 2 kg.
🗓 samedi 20 mars

THE GREY LADY, femelle, gris, née en 2018, par Saint des Saints et Turn In Grey, par Martaline (gb)
Entraîneur : Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé
Lieu d'entraînement : Charente Maritime
Propriétaires : Jean-Michel Bazire & Louis Baudron
Eleveur : Louis Baudron

Réactions de Louis Baudron (éleveur, co-propriétaire) et Pierre Dubourg (jockey) après la victoire de The Grey Lady dans le Prix Auricula 2021 :