29 November 2020
Photo scoopdyga.com
Sunday, November 29, 2020, Auteuil. - A consolation race contested in the wake of the Maurice Gillois 4yo Chase (Gr1), the Morgex 4yo Chase (Gr3) allows the defeated ones to compete against each other for a minor title three weeks later.
Yet a gelding coming off an alternative course dominated this time, that is Grandeur Nature (Lord du Sud), who had won the Roger Saint Chase (L) at Compiègne last time out and had to carry 2 lbs. for this success.
Trained by in-form Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé, ridden by Thomas Coutant, bred by the Haras de Saint-Voir and Mrs Bernard-Maurice Gouin, the winner travelled in the leading group. Despite a mistake at the second last, he took over in the run-in, beating his best challenger, Pacha Senam (Masked Marvel), by six lengths. The front-runner Grace à Vous Enki (Dream Well) bravely stayed on in third at three lengths. Gardons le Sourire (Fame and Glory), who was giving 9 lbs, finished fourth. In contrast, the favourite Magrudy (Doctor Dino) gave in at the final turn, three weeks after running against the champion of this generation, Le Berry, in the Maurice Gillois 4yo Chase (Gr1).
Grandeur Nature is the fifth foal out of Radio Saint-Voir (Robin des Champs), also the dam of C'est le Bouquet (Coastal Path), winner of the Grand Steeple de Craon (L) and the Prix Montgomery Handicap Chase (Gr3) last year under 11st-4lbs.
A winner at Langon over hurdles for her debut, Radio Saint-Voir is out of Miss Noir et Or (Noir et Or), bred by Georges Vuillard, who won eight cross-countries at Pau between 1992 and 1995, and later foaled Sleeping Jack (Sleeping Car ), winner of the 1996 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris (Gr1).
After Grandeur Nature, Radio Saint-Voir gave the filly Ici Saint-Voir (Free Port Lux), now 2 years old, then the gelding Jean Qui Rit (Karaktar) and the colt Kilometre Illimité (No Risk At All).