Start of the new season in Auteuil

Auteuil, Saturday, 25 February: The obstacle stronghold in Auteuil opens the gates to the new season today. The highlight is the Prix Robert de Clermont-Tonnerre (6th race/16.25 h/150,000 Euro/4400 m).

Eleven horses will compete in the Group 3 chasing race and Poly Grandchamp (Bertrand Lestrade), the longest-serving horse, who won the race three years ago and attracted attention last year mainly with placings, will be among them. Most recently, the eleven-year-old finished third in the Prix la Haye Jousselin (Group 1) behind Grandeur Nature (David Gallon), who has another honourable mention in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Compiegne (Group 2). Happy Monarch (Charlotte Prichard) deserves a mention as last year`s winner over Bandero (Theo Chevillard), among others. In the Prix Murat (Group 2) the Nicolle protégé was clearly better than Poly Grandchamp. Metasequoia (Kevin Nabet) currently cut a strong figure in the Grand Prix de Pau (Group 3) as second. Eddy de Balme (Tristan Lemagnen) fought for victory in the Prix Georges Courtois (Group 2) a year ago, with Doctor Squeeze (Clement Lefebvre) and Le Lude (Felix de Giles) far behind.