14 November 2020
Photo James du Berlais: scoopdyga.com
James du Berlais (Muhtathir) was fully in control when winning the 2m 6 1/2f in the Pierre de Lassus 4yo Hurdle (Gr3) despite a 5lbs penalty and he will certainly start as the favourite, at level weights, for the title of best French 4-year-old hurdler on Sunday at Auteuil in the Renaud du Vivier 4yo Hurdle race (Gr1). The last winners of this championship include Blue Dragon, De Bon Coeur, Master Dino and L’Autonomie ...
So the chances are great to see the crowning of another champion hurdler on Sunday. It is also during this meeting that ten fillies and mares of 4 and 5 years old will meet at the start of the Sytaj Chase (Gr3), where Amour du Mathan (Saint des Saints) could confirm her latest victory in the Fondeur Chase ( L) to end an eventful season.
- 1. FOR FUN (c4, FRA by Motivator ex Funny Féérie, by Sillery) Weight: 10-8 / Rating: 165lbs
Trained at Royan-La Palmyre by Guillaume Macaire, he has just run far below form in the Pierre de Lassus 4yo Hurdle race (Gr3), where he finished 8th. He has been part of the best hurdlers of his promotion since the summer of 2019 and finished third in the Cambacérès 3yo Hurdle race (Gr1) last year, but without having yet been able to win at the Group level before the Alain du Breil 4yo Hurdle race (Gr1), which he won this summer at Compiègne. Third for his comeback behind Séduction and James du Berlais, he was all the more disappointing last time out ...
2. ZUREKIN (g4, FRA by Martaline ex Fleur d’Ainay, by Poliglote) Weight: 10-8 / Rating: 139lbs
Trained in Britain by Sophie Leech since the Summer, after he was claimed, he won a handicap at Auteuil then and finished 2nd in another handicap lately with a 165lbs rating.
- 3. MOISES HAS (c4, FRA by Martaline ex Monika, by Dernier Empereur) Weight: 10-8 / Rating: 150lbs
Trained in Charente by François Nicolle, he won two hurdle races in the Autumn and was either 2nd or 3rd in his races this term in March, May and October. 2nd at 5 lengths behind James du Berlais in the Pierre de Lassus 4yo Hurdle race (Gr3), he will probably improve on that.
- 4. JAMES DU BERLAIS (g4, FRA by Muhtathir ex King’s Daughter, by King’s Theatre) Weight: 10-8 / Rating: 164lbs
Trained in Chantilly by Robert Collet, this gifted hurdler wins a race every other race since November and has just won decisively the Pierre de Lassus 4yo Hurdle race (Gr3) facing most of his rivals here. He's the obvious favourite.
- 5. GAIUS (g4, FRA by Leroidesanimaux ex Upperville, by Selkirk) Weight: 10-8 / Rating: 139lbs
Trained in Chantilly by David Cottin, this good flat handicapper ran only twice over hurdles and scored immediately after a 2nd place for his debut, at Auteuil. Hard to assess in such a company.
- 6. SAINT TURGEON (g4, FRA by Turgeon ex Sainte Nono, by Nononito) Weight: 10-8 / Rating: 133lbs
Trained in Chantilly par Davide Satalia, he won over hurdles in June at Compiègne and just discovered Auteuil with a 6th place in the Pierre de Lassus 4yo Hurdle race (Gr3). Hard to assess in such a company too.
- 7. GRAND MESSE (f4, FRA by Network ex Ulyssia Royale, by Poliglote) Weight: 10-3 / Rating: 150lbs
Trained at Maisons-Laffitte by Anne-Sophie Pacault, she won the d’Indy 4yo Hurdle (Gr3) in March, beating Moises Has and For Fun, but hasn't run six months after that and fell at the last for her comeback, while she was doing very well, in the Maisons-Laffitte 4yo Hurdle race (Gr3). She was a good 3rd since in the Pierre de Lassus 4yo Hurdle race (Gr3) …