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Wednesday 15th September 2010, Auteuil (www.jourdegalop.com)
The expected battle between Young Poli (Poliglote) and Questarabad (AQ - Astarabad) in the €130,000 Prix de Compiègne Hurdle (Gr3-5yo+ - 3900m) never took place. Coming round the final bend there were only three horses still in contention; Sucess River (Robin des Champs) ahead of Questarabad and Young Poli. Sucess River was beaten on the flat, Young Poli was still going easily when Questarabad was asked for an effort he produced a remarkable turn of foot after which there was no question who was the winner. “When you have a horse who can accelerate like that after the last it is very impressive”, declared Régis Schmidlin, jockey of Questarabad. Trainer Marcel Rolland was equally pleased; “It was very good especially as he was giving 7 kilos to Young Poli. We decided to change tactics today which caused him to be a bit tense but he was still able to put his acceleration to good use.”
Bred by Jean-François Colas, Questarabad is out of Hatilade (Royal Charter), who has no other referenced offspring with France Galop since a 2 year old filly by Martaline, not yet declared in training.
Edmond Barrachin - Saint Macaire surprises connections
Xavier Papot, owner of Saint Macaire (Saint des Saints), was surprised by his representative’s success in the €150,000 Prix Edmond Barrachin (Gr3), as he imagined that his horse was ranked behind others such as Saint du Chênet (Poliglote) and Kauto Stone (With The Flow). But Saint Macaire proved his owner wrong when winning a hard fought battle with Saint du Chênet to pass the post 4 lengths in front of his rival. “I think that my horse was fitter than Saint du Chênet or Kauto Stone, who were having their first runs back”, declared Xavier Papot. “That helped, but he is still a good horse and I am delighted.”
Last year, Saint Macaire proved his talent when he won the Prix Congress (Gr2), also Saint du Chênet is considered the best 4 year old chaser so beating him is no easy matter.
Bred by Paul Jaunasse and Bernard Bohan, Saint Macaire is out of Ty Mat (Panoramic) who only ran on the flat and won twice. She previously produced Saint Mat, a full brother to Saint Macaire, who won the Prix Pride of Kildare for Philippe Peltier. She produced a colt foal by Saint des Saints this year.
Finot (1) - Prince Pretender over hurdles
The favourite of the first division of the €58,000 Prix Finot Hurdle (L-Unraced 3yo Males-3600m), Prince Pretender (Great Pretender), won “easily”, according to winning jockey Sylvain Dehez, despite not appearing to have the true physique suitable to Auteuil. Trainer Jean-Paul Gallorini said afterwards; “He is talented and has a big heart.Chinco was not very big either but with his heart be won the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris (Gr1). He has jumped at home since he ran in the "Jockey Club". When they are talented everything goes well. He is a serious horse over fences and I think he beat a good bunch today.” Close to the front throughout the race, Prince Pretender jumped well and made up ground on the flat to beat the Guy Cherel trained Polisky (Poliglote) by half a length.
Bred by Pascal Noue, at the Haras de la Hêtraie, Prince Pretender was purchased by his trainer for €5,000 at the Arqana Sales in Saint Cloud in July 2009 (click here for catalogue page).
Finot (2) - Monpilou as talented over hurdles as on flat
On his threes starts on the flat, Guillaume Macaire’s charge Monpilou (AQ - Saint des Saints) has caused quite a stir. For a longtime he has been considered a very good horse and he confirmed that when successful in the second division of the €58,000 Prix Finot Hurdle (L – Unraced 3yo Males – 3600m). David Cottin, his jockey, let him stride on two or three lengths ahead of the rest of the field and passed the post 10 lengths ahead of his nearest rival. Afterwards a clearly delighted David Cottin announced; “He is very fast, relaxed, jumps well and has a good turn of foot. He has everything he needs to be a top class horse.” Connections are hesitating between two options for this horse, either the "Talhouët-Roy" (Gr2) followed by the Prix Cambacérès (Gr1) or else the Prix Congress (Gr2), over fences.
Jacques Détré is not only the owner of Monpilou he is also the breeder as he purchased the dam, Gavotte de Brejoux (Iris Noir), along with Francis Montauban. Since then she has only produced offspring by Saint des Saints, including a colt foal and a yearling filly, and is currently in foal to the same stallion once again.
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