Group 1 Day in Auteuil

Auteuil, Sunday, 22 May: Great steeplechase sport is on offer today in Auteuil. In the first classic, 16 horses will meet in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris (4th race/16.00 h/820,000 Euro/6000 m). Sel Jem (Johnny Charron) is in top form, winning the Prix Troytown (Group 3) and the Prix Murat (Group 2) this year. In his latest defeat in the Prix Ingre (Group 3) against Feu Follet (Baptiste Le Clerc) he nevertheless convinced with a good performance. Niko Has (Theo Chevillard) is riding high due to his list triumph against Enjeu d`Arthel (Charlie Deutsch) and Gex (James Reveley) also pleases as a current winner. Dream Wish (Jeremy de Silva), Happy Monarch (Angelo Zuliani) and Glorice (Lucas Zuliani) were in the picture behind Sel Jem in the Prix Murat. Trainer Willie Mullins is in with three chances. Al Boum Photo (Paul Townend), Franco de Port (Daniel Mullins) and Burrows Saint (Rachael Blackmore) are to be noted despite mixed form. Also travelling from Ireland is Screaming Colours (Connor Orr), fourth in the Irish Grand National.

The Prix Ferdinand Dufaure (6th race/17.15/320,000 Euro/4400 m) is aimed at four-year-old hunter horses. La Manigance`s (Theo Chevillard) victory in the Prix Jean Stern (Group 2) over Latino des Isles (Pierre Dubourg) will be put to the test. The latter had to admit defeat for the first time this year, having pinned the Prix Fleuret (Group 3) against Primco (Felix des Giles) and Saint Paris (Florent Bayle) and the Prix Duc d`Anjou (Group 3) against Tonguetted (James Reveley) to his banner here. In Love (Kevin Nabat) received high praise from the trade press for her running in a `Classe 2`.