23 November 2019
Photo Cotée Sud : scoopdyga.com
The 2019 edition of the Prix André Michel Hurdle (Gr3), a four-year-old females' hurdle race on Sunday at Auteuil, is another proof that quantity is not necessary required to make a captivating race. They are six at the start this time, all aged 4 and 5, and all have their say. Sainte Saône (Saint of Saints) has just won the Prix Sytaj Chase (Gr3) at the end of a chasing campaign that leads to another switch to hurdles this time.
Cotée Sud (Lord du Sud) was second in the Prix Renaud du Vivier 4yo Hurdle (Gr1) won by L'Autonomie last time out. The representative of Jean-Marie Callier had won her two previous races and finished ahead of a brave Byzance du Berlais (Martaline) that day. Presidente Line (Martaline) won the Prix Bernard Sécly Hurdle last time out, beating Marlonne (Martaline), fourth that day after almost two months out.
Even more intriguing is Écris l’Histoire (Kapgarde). Trained by Donatien de Beauregard, she finished 6th in a hurde race at Compiegne for her return this season. Previously, in June at Auteuil in the Prix Christian de Tredern Hurdle (Gr3), she beat no other than Prix Léon Olry-Roederer (Gr2) fancy Paul's Saga, and Sainte Saône ...
The other Group 3 on the agenda of this last Sunday meeting in Paris this term, the Prix Morgex 4yo Chase (Gr3), featured no less than 4 Grand Steeple or L aHaye Jousseelin winners in the last 15 years ... There are also four fillies in these last winners and it is possible that another one will succeed Edward d'Argent and Cat Tiger. Indeed, the third-placed of the Prix Maurice Gillois Chase (Gr1), Thrilling (Network), is at the start with Flute des Champs (Timos), fifth of the same "4yo Grand Steeple".
Amour de Mathan (Saint des Saints) was second in the Prix Sytaj Chase (Gr3) behind Sainte Saone. Campinas (Pastorius), who has just won the Prix Roger Saint (L) in Compiègne, and Bébé d'Or (Poliglote) are the best geldings at the start.