4 x Group 2 in Vincennes

Paris-Vincennes, Saturday, 16 April: Two yearlings will contest a total of four Group 2 races at Vincennes today, separated by sex and each worth 120,000 euros.

The Prix Hermine (2nd race/14.33 h/2700 m) is aimed at three-year-old fillies and will be decided under saddle. The clear favourite in the race is Junon du Leard (Paul Philippe Ploquin), who is used to winning. Most recently, she won the Prix Ali Hawas (Group 2) in superior fashion against Jipsy du Noyer (Alexandre Abrivard), Joyeuse (Mathieu Mottier) and Java de Fael (David Thomain), who were fighting for places and are among the challengers again this time.

Eleven three-year-old saddle trotters are under order in the Prix Gai Brillant (8th race/18.10pm/2700m). Jaspers Turgot (David Thomain) currently held his own, winning the Prix Edouard Marcillac (Group 3) here against Jelyson (Yoann Lebourgeois) and Jasper des Pres (Guillaume Martin) and the Prix Felicien Gauvreau (Group 2) ahead of Jackpot du Choquel (Paul Philippe Ploquin) and Jubile Prior (Aurelien Desmarres). Jolly Roger (Adrien Lamy) failed to gallop in both tests, but showed great running potential in two wins during the meeting.

The five-year-old mares will face each other in front of the sulky in the Prix Henri Levesque (3rd race/15.15/2700m). Huwaga (Jean-Michel Bazire) will be presented today by the trainer himself and is expected to be far in front despite a mixed form. Hanna des Molles (Alexandre Abrivard) stayed in the stable for most of the winter. The mare, who won the Prix Guy Le Gonidec (Group 2), completed a preparatory race on 26 March and will now compete in a promoted race. Heliade du Goutier (Gabriele Gelormini) last ran in December, she is hard to put down after class but lacks condition. Happy Valley (Jean-Philippe Dubois), on the other hand, is in top form and can beat them all.

There is less of a crowd for the stallions in the Prix Robert Auvray (6th race/17.00/2700 m). Hooker Berry (Jean-Michel Bazire) recently knew how to please in the Prix de Nevers (Group 3) even in defeat. In the final sprint he came too late for the victory, at the finish he was only narrowly beaten. On the day of the Prix de Amérique (Group 1) he also lost to Havanaise, but had nothing to fear against the volatile Helgafell (Franck Nivard), who disappointed again afterwards, for second place.