Happy and Lucky the benchmark in the Prix Joseph Lafosse

Paris-Vincennes, Friday, November 18: The merry-go-round at Vincennes continues to spin and pick up speed. In today`s Group 2 highlight, the Prix Joseph Lafosse (2nd race/19.33/120,000 euros/2700 m), five-year-old saddle trotters are addressed, with only one stallion appearing in the ten-strong field. Hugo du Bourg (Mathieu Mottier) has no easy stand against nine mares, especially since he meets Happy and Lucky (Adrien Lamy), who recently gave him such a clear rebuff in the Prix Xavier de Saint-Palais (Group 2) that it is hard to believe in a reversal of form. The third-placed Hytte du Terroir (Leo Abrivard) was also clearly better than the `cock of the walk`, who at least managed to keep Hermine Girl (Yoann Lebourgeois) at bay on November 3. Happy and Lucky enters as the clear favorite, but an honest Hirondelle du Rib (Jean Dersoir) should not make it too easy for the Leblanc mare who came in ahead of her in the Prix de Normandie (Group 1). Not to be left unmentioned is Chandelles (Matilde Herleiksplass), who narrowly missed winning here in October. Balsamine Font (Alexandre Abrivard) makes her saddle debut and should be noted in strong hands. Hannah (Benjamin Rochard) won a `C` riding sovereign just eight days ago.