Tuesday 18th May 2010, Auteuil. (www.jourdegalop.com) “Last time out he jumped too big and went head over heels. But he is no ordinary horse”, confided trainer Guy Cherel after his charge Surfing (AQPS - Califet) won the €50,000 Prix Samour Chase (4yos-3,600m). After two successes over hurdles at Auteuil in 2009, Surfing has to date been unconvincing in 2010, having pulled up on his first start and falling on his second. This time the true Surfing turned up and won easily by a total of ten lengths from Magic Poline (Trempolino).

Surfing will head across the Channel at the end of the year to join Nicky Henderson’s yard, which has been planned since the end of 2009.

Bred by M.L. Bloodstock Ltd, Surfing’s sire, Califet (Freedom Cry), and dam, Hawaï de Vonnas (Cadoudal), were both trained by Guy Cherel.

Nivernais – Promising future for Tanais du Chenet

“She is very talented, just like her brother and her sister, and has room for improvement as well as a big engine”, announced jockey Régis Schmidlin after the victory of Tanaïs du Chenet (Poliglote), full sister to Saint du Chenet (Poliglote) and half sister of Ma Royale (Garde Royale), in the €46,000 Prix du Nivernais Hurdle (3yo Fillies-3,500). Marcel Rolland’s won by an impressive ten lengths for her first ever start against a field of more experienced fillies then her which is a rare sight here at Auteuil. “She is still a baby and was a bit green in the middle of the other horses” continued her jockey.Tanaïs du Chenet made up ground coming round the last bend and joined the leaders on jumping the second last hurdle before kicking clear on the flat. She didn’t beat just any horses as Spice (Bering) and Cutting Edge (Kapgarde), placed second and third respectively, are well thought of by their trainer Yannick Fouin.

Bred by Marie-Laure Besnouin, Tanaïs du Chenet is a daughter of a very good dam of jumpers, Tchela (Le Nain Jaune), who ran twenty eight times without winning but was twice Group placed over fences. Tchela made up for this at stud and has to date bred 16 products including: Ma Royale, second in the Grand Steeple and the Prix Alain du Breil (Gr1) and winner of the Prix Ingré (Gr3); Saint du Chenet, winner of the Prix Fleuret (Gr3) and the Jean Stern (Gr2); Galant Moss (Tip Moss), second in the Prix Renaud du Vivier (Gr1) and third in the Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil (Gr1). Tchela also has a 2 year old, Union du Chenet (Kahyasi), and Viva Tchela (Astarabad), a yearling.

Melinoir – Palmier back in form

After two failures at Cagnes-sur-Mer, Palmier (AQPS - Brier Creek) came back with a bang when winning the €46,000 Prix Mélinoir by five lengths from Oh Calin. The winner of the Prix Edmond Barrachin (Gr3), Cokydal (Cadoudal) ran well for his first run back and showed himself to brave when fighting to keep third place.

Bred by Yves d’Armaillé, Palmier is a brother of Quolibet (Fragrant Mix), winner of the Prix Robert de Clermont-Tonnerre (Gr3) and twice Group placed for François Doumen. The dam of Palmier, Goguette II (Bayolidaan) ran four times without success. Since Quolibet, she has produced two fillies by Shaanmer (Darshaan) and a yearling by Fragrant Mix (Linamix).