28 November 2020
Photo scoopdyga.com
A consolation race contested in the wake of the Maurice Gillois 4yo Chase (Gr1), the Morgex 4yo Chase (Gr3), due to its racing conditions, allows the horses beaten in the Championship to compete against each other for a minor title.
Rare, in fact, are those who have carried 9 lbs. to win again before the end of the season. The latest is So French, winner of the two races in 2015. But this penalty also applies to the winner of the Ferdinand Dufaure 4yo Chase (Gr1), the spring version of the championship, won this year at Compiègne by Gardons le Sourire (Fame and Glory ), who will, therefore, carry 11st on Sunday at Auteuil.
They are eight at the start with, including Magrudy (Doctor Dino), third in the “Maurice Gillois” who nevertheless carries the basic Weight: of 10-6 here, while the first two home that day, Le Berry and Galleo Conti, have declined the fight this time…
- 1. GARDONS LE SOURIRE (g4, FRA by Fame and Glory and Place au Soleil) Weight: 11-0 / Rating: 157lbs
Trained in Maine-et-Loire by Gabriel Leenders, he won the Ferdinand Dufaure 4yo Chase (Gr1) this summer at Compiègne. Second for his comeback over hurdles, then fifth, again over hurdles, he did not really carry the plan out in the Maurice Gillois 4yo Chase (Gr1), only staying on in the end to finish 4th. He must nevertheless carry 9lbs. here for his Gr1 wins.
- 2. GRANDEUR NATURE (g4, FRA by Lord du Sud and Radio Saint-Voir) Weight: 10-8 / Rating: 139lbs
Trained at Royan-La Palmyre by Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé, he will contest his fifth steeplechase and his fourth race of the year. He won the Roger Saint 4yo Chase (L) last time out at Compiègne, which earned him a 2lbs. penalty, beating Galopin de Balme, whom he finds here with a relative disadvantage of 4lbs.
- 3. POLISUD (g4, FRA by Lord du Sud and Polimère) Weight: 10-6 / Rating: 138lbs
Trained in the Charente by François Nicolle, he regularly places himself in this category and has not raced for five weeks, which could give him a bit of an edge here.
- 4. MAGRUDY (g4, FRA by Doctor Dino and Affaire de Mœurs) Weight: 10-6 / Rating: 159lbs
Trained in Charente by François Nicolle, he finished second to Le Berry for his first attempt at Group level, in July, then went on to win over hurdles in Compiègne before taking a good third place in the Maurice Gillois 4yo Chase (Gr1), where he lost the second place in the end after trying to keep up with the winner.
- 5. HODOIS HAS (g4, FRA by No Risk At All and Horabora Has) Weight: 10-6 / Rating: 138lbs
Trained at Royan-La Palmyre by Guillaume Macaire, he has run in a steeplechase three times recently, winning for his debut in the speciality at Dieppe before finishing fourth and then third at this level. He must show some progress.
- 6. GALOPIN DE BALME (g4, FRA by Cima de Triomphe and Jebarde Rederie) Weight: 10-6 / Rating: 138lbs
Trained in Charente by François Nicolle, he won on his steeplechase debut at Lignères and then took three second places in Compiègne, including a last a good length behind Grandeur Nature, whom he finds again here with on more favourable weight terms.
- 7. PACHA SENAM (g4, FRA by Masked Marvel and Saga de Senam) Weight: 10-6 / Rating: 142lbs
Trained in Charente by François Nicolle, he fell on each of his first two steeplechase attempts but was very consistent afterwards, being shown to the podium three times. He goes up in category, however.
- 8. GRACE A VOUS ENKI (g4, FRA by Dream Well and Cadiane) Weight: 10-6 / Rating: 137lbs
Trained in Dragey (Manche) by Dominique Bressou, he has already won two chases but is not very reliable and has never raced at this level before.