Prelude to the Winter Meeting

Paris-Vincennes, Thursday, November 3: Two group tests will set the mood for the Winter Meeting today in Paris-Vincennes.

Five-year-old saddle trotters will compete in the Prix Xavier de Saint Palais (6th race/16:45/120,000 euros/2175 m). Happy and Lucky (Adrien Lamy), winner of the Prix de Normandie (Group 1), finds a solvable task as she faces opponents who have already beaten her. In the Prix Legoux-Longpre (Group 3), the Leblanc mare clearly defeated second- and third-placed Hera de Banville (Camille Levesque) and Hytte du Terroir (Alexandre Abrivard). She has to contend in particular with Hugo du Bourg (Mathieu Mottier), who decided a B-riding in his favor here nine days ago, leaving Hera de Banville far behind. Heliade du Goutier (Eric Raffin) and Heros de Fleur (Yoann Lebourgeois), who have not competed under saddle for some time, are in waiting.

Designed as a `Course Europeenne`, the Prix des Cévennes (7th race/5.20pm/90,000 euros/2850m) appeals to 13 horses in the higher winning category. Ampia Mede Sm (Franck Nivard), who stood out last winter meeting with numerous wins but also with some missteps, could win the Prix de Beaugency (Group 3) despite a failed comeback attempt. Elie de Beaufour (Jean-Michel Bazire), Decoloration (Gabriele Gelormini) and Jerry Mom (Matthieu Abrivard), who benefited from her mistake, will certainly not leave the field to the Italian without a fight. Ce Bello Romain (Anthony Barrier), who was better than Elie de Beaufour in third place in the Grand Prix du Sud-Ouest (Group 2), also belongs on the shortlist.