All generations and all specialties were represented during this long day of fifteen races on the Butte Mortemart.
21 days before the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, the Prix Ingré (Gr. III) served as a dress rehearsal with in particular the presence of the grandissime favorite,
Sel Jem
,
General in Chief
or even
Feu Follet.
Author of a victorious comeback in mid-April at Compiègne, the last named confirmed his return to the fore: “He's a good horse.
He had problems at the end of the year and we did what was necessary to resolve them.
He was cheerful and fresh,” rejoiced his trainer, Guillaume Macaire, while adding: “Even if
Sel Jem
had beaten
Feu Follet,
I would always have had the idea of running the Grand Steeple-Chase with him.
I am delighted with its success.
Winner of the Prix Alain du Breuil (Gr. I) in 2019, this 7-year-old gelding won his sixth Group and was a length and a half ahead of his stablemate
Sel Jem
, winner of the last two preparatory races.
Very moved when passing the post, his partner Baptiste Le Clerc had trouble hiding his emotion with this jumper who brought him everything: “He is my favorite horse.
Guillaume Macaire gave me my chance at a very young age with this jumper.
I also thank its owner Pierre Pilarski who did not hesitate to entrust it to me when I was still very young and inexperienced.
Feu Follet
taught me everything.
He is an extraordinary horse.
I had lost hope of finding him and he shows that he has regained his full potential.
»
Guillaume Macaire spoke after the Feu Follet victory.
The professional analyzes the performance of his two residents, with a style that we love 🎙 pic.twitter.com/VQY8QF4kS1
— Equidia (@equidia) April 30, 2022
Hermès Baie dethrones L'Autonomie
The Prix Léon Rambaud (Gr. II), the second highlight of the day went to
Hermes Baie
as jumping enthusiasts expected to see the great champion
Autonomie
pinning the sixteenth Group of her career: "She was not at work analyzes his mentor François Nicolle.
I found her soft and she was perhaps under the influence of her gender.
She was also coated and this outing will be profitable for her.
I'm not worried about next May 21 when she should get her revenge on the occasion of the Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil (Gr. I).
One Nicolle can hide another and that is
Hermès Baie
who stole the show.
Sixth in the Prix Hypothèse (Gr. III) last month, this 5-year-old gelding sets the record straight, by picking up his seventh group victory.
Very disappointed in the last place by the performance of his resident, François Nicolle smiled broadly during the award ceremony: “During his last race, he found himself too far along the course.
I wanted to put Australian blinders on him, but he showed he didn't need them.
He was ridden more offensively and was good at his job.
The 5,100m in the Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil won't be a problem for him.
It is more a horse of bearing than of speed.
»
HERMÈS BAIE TERRASSE AUTONOMY!
😍🚀
What a race!
Bertrand Lestrade (@lestradebertra1), full of confidence, allows the resident of François Nicolle (@EcurieNicolle) to win the Léon Rambaud Prize (Gr.2) 🥇
Thelème finishes second 🥈 ahead of L'Autonomie 🥉 pic.twitter.com/AN5YxNwxAc
— Equidia (@equidia) April 30, 2022