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Weekly Review of French Racing.
There was multiple feature black type events in the past week in French racing across all codes - Trotting, Flat and Jumps. These were spread out across a range of courses throughout the week with some intriguing and exciting performances which are worth noting.
Flat
The Listed Grand Prix de Fontainebleau - Fonds Européen de l'Elevage (2000m) for fillies and mares was the feature event at Fontainebleau last Wednesday. All Rumours gained Back Type status in a classy manner managing to go from last to first racing in the fast lane down the home straight to produce a cosy success for jockey Mickaël Barzalona who rode hand and heels to the line. The win provides further standing for the Irish breeding establishment Ballymore Thoroughbreds while adding to the success for Mont-de-Marsan based trainer Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte.
Fonthill Abbey had the perfect trip on the outside to land the G3 Prix Bertrand de Tarragon (1800m) for fillies and mares at Chantilly on Friday. The four-year-old has always shown promise including a fifth behind Watch Me in the Listed Prix De La Calonne at Deauville (1600m). Most recently she reversed the form with re-opposing Testa after a short head second in the Listed De La Cochere at Longchamp (1600m). The favourite Tickle Me Green had no luck in the run on this occasion though in the longer term could be one where it pays to follow.
At Chantilly, Plainchant enjoyed the drop in grade scoring in the G3 Prix Eclipse (1200m), a race for two-year-olds. She proved a class above her rivals leading for a good portion of the race and is an exciting two-year-old. Previously shown plenty of promise most notably finishing a neck second to Fev Rover in the G2 Shadwell Prix Du Calvados (1400m) at Deauville.
British raider Sea Of Faith added Black Type winning the Listed Prix des Tourelles - Fonds Européen de l'Elevage (2400m) at Saint Cloud on Saturday. The four-year-old filly set a slow pace but went through the gears to produce a neck success though never really looking in any danger. This was the seventieth stakes winner for the 2009 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner, Sea The Stars, based at Gilltown Stud in Ireland.
At Craon on Monday the Listed Prix du Haras de La Haie Neuve Le Brivido (Prix du Point du Jour) (1650m) for three-year-olds and above was conducted. Despite drifting across the track, Alzire just prevailed from an excellent challenge by Musetta with only a nose splitting the pair. Jean-Claude Rouget and Cristian Demuro teamed up for the victory.
Trotting
Jean-Michel Bazire continues to dominate – both as a trainer and driver – achieving a one-two as a trainer in the G3 Grand Prix de la Fédération Régionale du Nord (2700m) at La Capelle on Wednesday. The influence of shoes was shown again as the barefooted finishers were to the fore with the seven-year-old Dorgos de Guez scoring under a confident Bazire drive.
The G3 Prix de Taverny (2700m) for three-year-old filles at Vincennes on Thursday went to a familiar name in the shape of Hanna Des Molles who just prevailed for another Group victory. Already promising, she continues to progress with multiple Group wins to her name including the G2 Prix Guy Deloison (2700m) at the same track and trip a month ago.
The G3 mounted Prix Georges Dreux (2850m) was a highlight on Vincennes' Sunday card. The barefooted Chalimar De Guez followed up his course win from two weeks previous delivering an easy and unchallenged victory. Once again, it was a Jean-Michel Bazire trained horse to succeed and this time ridden by Jean-Yann Ricart. The Bazire/Ricart combination had an earlier winner on the card when Druss de Guez won the second race.
Jump
Auteuil hosted two feature races on Wednesday. The Listed Prix Finot – Poulains (3600m) for jumping debutante three-year-old geldings went the way of Here I Am who jumped well and showed a good attitude to fend off rivals on very soft ground.
The G3 Prix The Fellow - Marquise de Moratalla (4400m) for four-year-olds saw Le Berry maintain his unbeaten Auteuil record taking victory by 10L and proving to be an exciting and promising four-year-old for trainer David Cottin.
The Listed Grand Steeple Chase du Conseil Départemental de la Mayenne (4200m) at Craon was a feature race on Sunday. Jockey Clément Lefebvre made a bold decision to drift stand side in the home straight after the final turn to battle with Gasti Greti though it was Joly Risk who proved too good and gained the win.