18 October 2020
Photo Ingré Chase: scoopdyga.com
This 143rd edition of the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris (Gr1), like the Grande Course de Haies on Saturday, is run five months later than usual. This is not quite another version of the traditional Autumn showcase, the La Haye Jousselin Chase, since the other big steeplechase of the French program is postponed to the end of November and it is run over 27.5f, instead of 30. In addition, this new and exceptional “Grand Steeple” takes place relatively early in the autumn program, instead of the Héros XII Chase (Gr3), but with a higher status, obviously, and an ever greater purse, at €570,000.
Eleven runners have been confirmed, all bred and trained in France. Two preparatory races emerge in the recent history of the main contenders: the Ingré Chase (Gr3) won by the 5-year-old Figuero (Yeats) at Auteuil, with a promising Carriacou (Califet) in third place ahead of an also intriguing Feu Follet (Kapgarde), on the one hand, and the Gascogne Chase (Gr3) at Compiègne where Roi Mage (Poliglote) notably beat Poly Grandchamp (Poliglote) and On The Go (Kamsin) on the other hand. Bipolaire (Fragrant Mix), triple winner of the La Haye Jousselin Chase (Gr1) at this time of the year and second in the Grand Steeple last year, for his part, ran over hurdles ... The side roads are often the most profitable, especially for older horses.
In short, the chips are stacked!
- 1. ENJEU D'ARTHEL (g6, FRA by Saddler Maker and Olga of Arthel, by Brier Creek) Weight: 10-10 / Rating: 148lbs
Trained in the Allier by Emmanuel Clayeux, this AQPS won the Fondeur Chase (L) last year and then took second place in the Robert de Clermont-Tonnerre Chase (Gr3) from Poly Grandchamp for his comeback. Less convincing in the spring, he finished fifth over the hurdles at Auteuil for his comeback, then in the Ingré Chase (Gr3) after an offensive run.
- 2. CARRIACOU (g8, FRA by Califet and Medanik, by Medaaly) Weight: 10-10 / Rating: 183lbs
Trained at Maisons-Laffitte by Isabelle Pacault, winner of the 2019 Grand Steeple, third in the La Haye Jousselin Chase afterwards, he behaved well in the spring, but without making much of an impression, and has just made an interesting comeback in the Ingré Chase (Gr3).
- 3. ROI MAGE (g8, FRA by Poliglote and Royale Majesty, by Nikos) Weight: 10-10 / Rating: 169lbs
Trained at La Teste-de-Buch by Jérôme Larrigade, whom he joined after his third place in the Grand Steeple last year, he had remained consistent ever since at the best level and has won his last two races this season, in Compiègne, and most recently in the Gascogne Chase (Gr3)
- 4. DOCTEUR DE BALLON (g8, FRA by Doctor Dino and Nile Breeze, by Phantom Breeze) Weight: 10-10 / Rating: 161lbs
Trained in Senonnes by Louisa Carberry, he made a sensation last year by winning the Ingré Chase (Gr3) but unseated his rider in the Grand Steeple immediately after. Away since June 2019, he again lost his jockey for his return, at Compiègne, without having had enough time to show anything.
- 5. BIPOLAIRE (g9, FRA by Fragrant Mix and Kenna, by Epervier Bleu) Weight: 10-10 / Rating: 183lbs
Trained in the Charentes by François Nicolle, this AQPS is the most successful of the field, having won the La Haye Jousselin Chase three times. In this season unlike any other, the 9-year-old finished third twice in the spring, and for his recent comeback over hurdles, at Auteuil.
- 6. D’JANGO (g7, FRA by Balko and Quizas Jolie, by Video Rock) Weight: 10-10 / Rating: 139lbs
Trained in the Manche by Patrice Quinton, this AQPS won the President de la République Handicap Chase (French National, Gr3) under 9-11 in May, he then fell in the Drags Chase (Gr2) and has just taken the fifth place for his comeback. in the Violon II Handicap Chase (L).
- 7. ON THE GO (g7, FRA by Kamsin and Sacral Nirvana, by Mansonnien) Weight: 10-10 / Rating: 170lbs
Trained in Royan by Guillaume Macaire, winner of the Grand Steeple in 2018 at the age of 5 after having also won the Maurice Gillois 4yo Chase (Gr1) the previous Autumn, he did not run for almost two years. then and has just made a promising comeback in the Gascogne Chase (Gr3) at Compiègne.
- 8. POLY GRANDCHAMP (g8, FRA by Poliglote and Qualia Grandchamp, by Nikos) Weight: 10-10 / Rating: 161lbs
Trained in the Charentes by François Nicolle, he is very consistent at the best level and thus won the Robert de Clermont-Tonnerre Chase (Gr3) in February before finishing second in the Troytown Chase (Gr3) won by Ebonite. Sixth in the Murat Chase (Gr2) then, he has just made an honourable comeback when third in the Gascogne Chase (Gr3) at Compiègne.
- 9. ROXINELA (f7, FRA by Muhtathir and Grivette, by Antarctica) Weight: 10-6 / Rating: 163lbs
Trained in Chantilly by François-Marie Cottin, she won her two best races last November in the Georges Courtois Chase (Gr2) and this Summer in the Drags Chase (Gr2). Third for her comeback over hurdles at Auteuil, she faded in the end in the Ingré Chase (Gr3), the main prep-race for this Grand Steeple.
- 10. FIGUERO (g5, FRA by Yeats and Annaland, by Saint des Saints) Weight: 10-6 / Rating: 168lbs
Trained in the Charentes by François Nicolle, this young AQPS won the Maurice Gillois 4yo Chase (Gr1) last year, becoming the best of his promotion. He won again over hurdles for his comeback in 2020, then finished fourth in the Murat Chase (Gr2) before taking his revenge in the Ingré Chase (Gr3) for his second attempt against aged horses on the steeplechase.
- 11. FEU FOLLET (g5, FRA by Kapgarde and Folle de Toi, by Sageburg) Weight: 10-6 / Rating: 161lbs
Trained in Royan by Guillaume Macaire, he was the best in his promotion over hurdles at 4 and was switched to chasing without really fulfilling the initial hopes. He seems to be progressing steadily this year and can undoubtedly still surprise.