Sunday 7th February 2010, Pau. (www.leblogdeparisturf.com)  Quick Fire (AC - Double Bed) and jockey Davy Lesot won the €55,000 Gaston Phoebus Chase (5yo+ - 4,600m), to the joy of owner Patrick Papot and his wife, “We were not too keen on running him but it was Jacques Ortet who insisted. He convinced us that our horse was in top physical form.” Quick Fire, along with stable companion Kara Jack (Lost World), went in search of the better ground throughout the race. He committed two mistakes down the far side but accelerated on the final bend to beat the 12 year old veteran Pros Sky (Sky Swallow).
“We will see Quick Fire again at Auteuil”, announced Jacques Ortet, who is convinced that his charge has a good chance in the Robert de Clermont-Tonnerre, especially since Alarm Call’s  programme will normally take him via Enghien.

Gaston de Bataille - Second success for Malberaux

Titleholder Malberaux (Michel Georges), one of the youngest horses in the field, won his second Grand Cross de Pau, the €65,000 Prix Gaston de Bataille (L-Cross Country-6,200m).
It was a family victory for trainer Philippe Cottin and his son, jockey David Cottin. Their champion will now go back to Anjou for a well deserved break before coming back next year to prepare for a possible third victory.
The 10 year old Thou in Gold (Gold and Steel) finished second, beaten by two and a half lengths, with Quoquo de Chalon (AQPS- Robin des Champs) a further two lengths back in third.

Saturday 6th February 2010, Cagnes-sur-Mer. (www.leblogdeparisturf.com) Disappointing on her last start at Deauville, Red Love (Gone West) excused herself completely by winning the €27,000 Prix du Haut de Cagnes (3yo Males-1,300m Fibresand). “She won first time out, and then was beaten by a good horse in High Trick,” explained Jean-Claude Rouget. “The last time I was sure she was going to win and I was very disappointed with her. I am therefore very pleased that she won today and in doing so beat a good filly. 1,300 metres seems to be her trip.” Jean-Bernard Eyquem, in saddle on second placed Evading Tempete (Dubai Destination),, was disappointed to have been beaten. “She is better than that in my opinion but she needed the run.”
Red Love was bred by her owners, Finsbury Bloodstock Limited. She has a very nice American pedigree, as her dam, Red Happy, is out of an A.P. Indy and Storm Cat cross. Red Love is her first produce. She was presented at the Keeneland Sales in 2008, where she was bought back for $130,000 (click here for catalogue page).

Cros de Cagnes – Ever dependable Psy chic

A winner here ten days ago, Psy Chic (Munir) once more proved his courage when winning the €25,000 Prix du Cros de Cagnes (4yo+ - 1,500m). “On soft ground it is very hard for the horses, but in these difficult condition he is better that the others,” commented Dominique Bœuf. This was a fourth success together for the pair.
Psy Chic was bred by his trainer, Robert Collet. His dam, Psycadelic (Munir) was a good racemare and her career at stud seems equally promising, given that her first produce Headache (Muhtathir) won the Prix d'Arenberg (Gr3).

Friday 5th February 2010, Pau. (www.leblogdeparisturf.com)  As expected, on Friday Alarm Call (Solar One) won his second €80,000 Grande Course de Haies de Pau. On his way back to weigh in after the victory, jockey Christophe Pieux said, “That was a true race. Alarm Call is like me, he ages well!" It was a sixth Grande Course de Haies at Pau for the jockey but a tenth for trainer Jacques Ortet. "I prefer him over fences and there is an almost 99 % chance that he will go for the "Clermont-Tonnerre" when racing starts back up at Auteuil. He is a true competitor, an athlete who anybody would love to train." The only horse able to track the eventual winner, after Pistol Jack (Maille Pistol) and Worldbest (Muhtathir) had both given up the battle, was Licato (Goofalik) who showed that he has recovered last year’s form.

Camille Duboscq – Promising hurdling career awaits Solix

Solix (Al Namix) won easily in the €60,000 Prix Camille Duboscq Hurdle (Listed-4yos-3,500m) while his rival Line Salsa (Kingsalsa) fell on landing after jumping the last hurdle. The "Camille Duboscq" 2010 was surely won by a good horse in Solix, but it left a bad taste in the mouth. La Politesse (Poliglotte) had to be put down Della Sun (Della Francesca) was the victim of a spectacular fall at the second last hurdles (before being remounted to finish 5th) and finally, Line Salsa, committed an error at the last hurdle when leading at the time and unseated David Cottin.

Wednesday 3rd February 2010, Cagnes-sur-Mer. (www.leblogdeparisturf.com) Impressive is the only way to describe Dubawi Junior’s (Dubawi), win in the €20,000 Prix de Fabron (3yo Males-1,600m Fibresand). He quickly detached himself from the rest of the field and was eased up by Ioritz Mendizabal to win by 11 lengths. Gérard Laboureau’s colt came here off a reasonably disappointing performance in the Prix Louis Gautier-Vignal. But a change in tactics seems to have paid off. “He tends to tense up when he is near other horses and therefore doesn’t finish his races,” explained Jean-Claude Rouget. “I didn’t give Ioritz any direct instructions but left him to ride him as he felt and the result was quite impressive. I knew that he had quality. I don’t know yet where he will run next. As for my other runner, Compromis, his performance was very satisfactory for his first run.” Compromis (Verglas) finished in third place, close behind Cliff (Charming Groom), who had the advantage of being more experienced.
Dubawi Junior was bought at the Arqana 2 year old Breeze Up Sale for €280.000 by Paul Nataf (click here for catalogue page). He was the top price of the sale and is out of a daughter of Sadler's Wells who is a full sister to Ballarat and Hijaz, both Listed winners. He is from the first crop of Dubawi, winner of the Jacques le Marois (Gr1).(click here to read that day's sales report)

Sainte Marguerite – Lunacat continues to improve

Lunacat (One Cool Cat) had showed progress on her last start, here at Cagnes. On her first run on Fibresand, François Rohaut’s filly won easily in the €20,000 Prix de la Sainte-Marguerite (3yo Fillies-1,600m Fibresand), at the expense of Printemps d'Alsace (Xaar), beaten once again. “The Fibresand suited her perfectly”, explained François Rohaut. “Like a lot of my horses, she had room for improvement for her first run and has shown she is progressing. I haven’t yet decided where she will run next, but the Californie is not her objective. I thought that she needed a longer trip but apparently that is not the case.” Didier Prod'homme, trainer of Printemps d'Alsace, didn’t look for excuses: “The last time, she may have made her move a bit early, but this time I think she was beaten by a better horse. She is still a maiden so she has lots of races open to her.”
Lunacat was bought for €32,000 by Guy Petit at the Arqana sales in October 2008 (click here for catalogue page). She is a sister of the useful Alta Luna, fourth in the Critérium du Bequet (L.) They come from a Lagardère bloodline, that of Linamix, Luna Wells and Long Mick.

Tuesday 2nd February 2010, Pau. (www.leblogdeparisturf.com)The track had considerably dried out for this 21st meeting of the winter at Pau. The winner of the €30,000 Prix Calixte Bayrou Hurdle (6yo+ - 3,500m), Speed Fever (Vertical Speed) confirmed the hopes of his trainer Pascal Journiac (who also bred him) who this year, like every year, has had a very successful winter meeting.

Laruns – Rose et Bleu carries colours to victory

The €30,000 Prix de Laruns Hurdle (5yos-3,800m) saw a group of 5 year olds prepare themselves for bigger things at Auteuil later in the year. Well thought of by Éric Leray, Rose et Bleu (AQPS - Princeton) won on his hurdling debut. He came here off a win over fences but is still relatively inexperienced, having had just seven starts. He was bred in partnership by owner Gérard Antier and Gérard Boutruche. His dam, Elodie de Falere (AQPS- Useful), who also ran Antier’s colours, has already produced Quifapour (AQPS- Rifapour), winner on the flat and over jumps.

Monday 1st February 2010, Cagnes-sur-Mer. (www.leblogdeparisturf.com)Rue de la Victoire ( Exceed and Excel) produced an impressive performance in the €20,000 Prix des Calanques (3yos-1,300m Fibresand). Jean-Claude Rouget’s filly, who was making her return to the track, dominated Yosolito (Keltos), also making his reappearance after being gelded, with the other runners a long behind the pair. “She won well,” summed up her trainer. “1,300 metres strikes me as being her limit. She should run over 1,200 metres at Marseille.” Rue de la Victoire carries the colours of her breeders, team Hogdala, who also bred Le Havre. The filly was presented at the Arqana Sales in August 2008 (click here for catalogue page), but she was bought back for €120,000. She is a sister of Rue Lafayette (Flying Spur), multiple Listed winner in Sweden, the native country of her breeders.

Vallauris - Istimlaak shows promise

Istimlaak (Marju) proved his superiority in the €27,000 Prix de Vallauris (3yos-1,600m Fibresand), when winning by 6 lengths. The representative of Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum jumped off well and then let Fly Tartare (Greengroom) take control of proceedings. In the straight Istimlaak easily fought off the strong final effort of Coreliev (Fasliyev). “He is a nice horse”, analysed John Hammond. “I’m not sure if he will stay further; his type and breeding are that of a miler. I don’t know where he will run next. Even if the Policeman has not been completely ruled out, I’m more inclined towards the Californie, on February 14th.”
Istimlaak was bought by Shadwell for GNS 150,000 as a yearling at Tattersalls (click here for his catalogue page). His dam is a full sister of Touch and Love (Green Desert), second in the Gros-Chêne (Gr2).

Among the 288 horse, representing 82 different trainers, entered in the Dubai World Cup on March 27th there are a few possible French contenders, such as Cirrus des Aigles (C.Barande-Barbe), Gloria de Campeao (P. Bary),  Hot Six (P. Bary), Oroveso (P. Bary), Perfect Season (A. de Royer Dupré), Uncle Tom (P. Bary) and Vision d'Etat (E. Libaud).

The other Group 1 races on the same card also feature many French entries. In the Sheema Classic entries include  Ashalanda (A. de Royer Dupré), Cirrus des Aigles (C. Barande-Barbe), Estrela Anki (P. Bary), Gloria de Campeao (P. Bary), Hot Six (P. Bary), Kasbah Bliss (F. Doumen), La Boum (R. Collet), Perfect Season (A. de Royer Dupré), Shahwardi (A. de Royer Dupré), Soberiana (A. Wöhler / J. de Roüalle), Uncle Tom (P. Bary) and Vision d'Etat (E. Libaud).

The Dubai Duty Free entries feature Célimène (C. Lerner), Cirrus des Aigles (C.Barande Barbe), Estrela Anki (P. Bary), Gloria de Campeao (P. Bary), Hot Six (P. Bary), La Boum (R. Collet), Opera Comica (P. Bary), Oroveso (P. Bary) and Uncle Tom (P. Bary).

Saturday 30th January 2010, Pau. (www.leblogdeparisturf.com) Last time out Sanjaka de Thaix (AQ-Dom Alco) was a faller at the last hurdle when he had the race sewn up, on Saturday he made up for that error when outclassing his rivals in the €32,000 Prix Frederik Henry Prince Chase (AQPS-3,900m). Ridden patiently by Christophe Pieux, the son of Dom Alco did not however have the smoothest passage when Seth Garde (Kapgarde) and Sari des Chambres (Robin des Prés) fell at the wall. But his superiority was evident in the finish, no problems at the last hurdle this time.

“He is phenomenal”, confided Emmanuel Clayeux.  “He was unlucky last time. This time however his luck had changed. His future most certainly lies at Auteuil.”

Santo Conti (AQ-Dom Alco) had to content with second place, which satisfied his jockey David Berra: “It was a good introduction to chasing. He over jumped slightly early on, but that will come with time.”

Third placed after almost unseating his jockey, Davy Lesot, at the open-ditch, Saraska d'Airy (AQ-Ungaro), beat Senorita Collonges (AQ-Fragrant Mix), who finished well.

Emile Lalanne – Sagarou aimed for Palaminy

The nine 4 year olds in the €32,000 Prix Emile Lalanne Chase (4yos-3,400m) had to contend with both soft ground and heavy rain making difficult conditions for the youngsters. After three satisfactory runs, Jacques Ortet’s representative Sagarou (Ungaro) opened his record and showed signs of having a promising chasing career ahead of him. “He confirmed what we already thought of him and the Palaminy is a possibility now,” confided his trainer.

Sagarou finished 8 lengths ahead of Salamix (AQ-Al Namix), with Espoire de Vitou(Tot ou Tard) a further 5 lengths behind in third place.

Friday 29th January 2010, Pau. (www.leblogdeparisturf.com) Guy Cherel scored a 1-2-3-4 with his four runners in the €45,000 Prix Jean Bernadotte Chase (4yos-3,900m). After a slight mistake at the second last fence, Kriss Williams (Califet) easily dominated his stable companions on the flat. Guy Cherel looks almost certain to win the Palaminy on February 21st with one of his representatives as his 4 year old steeplechasers appear unbeatable this year.
After his perfect score in the race, Guy Cherel said, "They were all in good form and I had no reason not to run them. Between the four of them they won €40,000 today. If they are all in form in three weeks time, there is no reason why they won’t run in the Palaminy."
Since the start of the meeting, Guy Cherel has continued to repeat what a good horse Kriss William is, "in April, he was almost at the same level as some of my best jumpers such as Temple Lord (Califet), but soon afterwards he suffered some small problems".

After running a patient race, Recalcitrant (Equerry) took second place on the flat from Califète Royale (Califet), who had made a few mistakes, with Keeping Gold (Goldneyev) bringing up the rear of the Cherel’s back in fourth.
Kriss William was bred by Christophe Tanguy. He is to date the best produce of his dam, Pretty William (Bojador), a half sister to the top jumper from the early 90’s, For William's Sake (Down the River).

Rene Cramail – Bad day at the office for Arnaud Duchene

Ouh La La (Double Bed) won the €90,000 Prix René Cramail Hurdle (5yo+ - 3,800m) for the second year in a row. Jacques Ricou, jockey of the son of Double Bed, spoke afterwards of his regret at making his move too early. However this did not prevent him from winning easily without any danger from Unidentified Thief (Daylami) or Atlas du Berlais (Saint des Saints). Secret Agent (Kahysi) finished back in fourth but his jockey, Arnaud Duchêne, was given a suspension totalling 30 days and a fine of €1,000 by the stewards. He received 15 days for not riding his mount right up to the line (Secret Agent was beaten a head for third place) and a further 15 day suspension for disrespectful behaviour in the stewards’ room.