To achieve the double of the Prix Richard de Gennes at Craon and the €34,000 Prix du Bourbonnais (3yos AQPS – 2400m) at Saint-Cloud is often an indication of a very good AQPS horse. Rendons Grâce (Video Rock) achieved this feat in 2008 and this year it was Étienne Leenders’ Toscane (Shaanmer) who followed in his footsteps. After having caused some difficulties in loading, Toscane kicked clear of her rivals with ease to achieve her third success from four starts. Terreur (Raintrap) finished three lengths behind in second place with Theramène (April Night) a further three quarters of a length back in third.

Bred by Jacques Cyprès and Laurent Couétil, Toscane is out of Kandy Ball (First Ball), a chasing specialist who despite never winning finished second in two decent races at Auteuil.