Mega racing day in Paris

Paris-Vincennes, Friday, 14 October: Big decisions will be made today at Vincennes, where the Grand Prix de l`U.E.T. (2nd race/18.57/400,000 Euro/2100m) marks the first main event. Of the three pre-race winners, Italiano Vero (David Thomain) made the strongest impression. Ideal du Pommeau (Matthieu Abrivard) and Louis E Lobell (Tony Le Beller) were in the picture behind the Allaire charge. Iway (Giampaolo Minucci) was even half a second faster in his preliminary run. The four-year-old easily defeated the higher-rated Inoubliable (Eric Raffin) and I Want You (Louis Baudron) was uncompetitive in third. In Solvalla, Sweden, Nugget Zon (Örjan Kihlström) surprised as an easy winner over Imhatra Am (Franck Nivard) and Aquarius Face (Jean-Michel Bazire). Of the favourites, only Kentucky River made it to the final without any real chance of winning.

There was a big crowd in the European Championships for five-year-olds (4th race/20.15 h/100,000 Euro/2100 m). Of the 17 horses eligible to start, three come from the quarters of Jean-Michel Bazire, who himself rides the recently faulted Heraut d`Armes. His son Nicolas has Hooker Berry, who also did not run smoothly in the Critérium des 5 Ans (Group 1), on the driving lines. Philippe Allaire is represented by Hohneck (Francois Lagadeuc). The millionaire is challenging Hussard du Landret (Benoit Robin), against whom he recently suffered a stinging defeat. Önas Prince (Per Nordström) could ensure a guest victory. The Swede recently won a heat of the Guld Divisions. For him it is the first appearance in France.