30 October 2019
Photo scoopdyga.com
Classic trainer-turned owner Jean-Claude Rouget and his fellow trainer on the jumps François Nicolle hold a mighty double entry, on friday in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Compiègne (Gr2), and they will try to succeed themselves. The titleholder A Mi Manera (Great Pretender), a 6yo mare, goes along her stablemate The Stomp (Layman). They have filled the exacta in their last two encournters, on this course but on smaller trips of 19 and 22.5 furlongs, while they go for a three-mile trip this time.
Five others entries will hold their ground including the unfortunate Le Costaud (Forester), a favourite in the lastest Grand Prix de Merano (Gr1) in Italy, where he took a wrong turn as he was leading the way.
Third in the Prix La Gascogne Chase (Gr3) behind the two favourite last time out, 5yo mare Ecbatane (Balko) is owned by Patrice Détré and trained by Hector de Lageneste. 5th on the day, 6yo Dauteuil Précieux (Balko) also goes again for his joint-breeder Mireille Revaux. Monsamou (Bienamado), trained by Patrick Chevillard, has also come back lately and failed to make an impression, in a Compiegne claimer. Trained by Yannick Fouin, 8yo Celtino (Doctor Dino) is now also owned by two trotting trainers whom Fouin knows quite well since they all work around Cagnes-sur-Mer in the Winter, that is Stéphane Guelpa and Yannick-Alain Briand. Their horse was also bought in a claimer.