Four-year-olds at Group 2 level

Paris-Vincennes, Saturday, 10 December: Separate paths will be taken by four-year-old mares and stallions in two Group 2 races at Vincennes today.

First, the `weaker sex` will be addressed in the Prix Ariste Hemard (3rd race/15.15/120,000 euros/2700m). Inoubliable (Eric Raffin), third in the final of the Grand Prix de l`U.E.T. (Group 1) and later in the Prix Marcel Laurent (Group 2), is overdue for victory but has a tough chunk to get out of the way with Inmarosa (Leo Abrivard), second in front of her in the Critérium des 4 Ans (Group 1). Isla Jet (Matthieu Abrivard) is the only competitor to show fresh winning form, but the Malmqvist mare is hitting it much harder. Idylle Speed (Franck Niavard) runs reliably to the front. She is well remembered for her victory in the Prix Guy Le Gonidec (Group 2) over Inmarosa, Ivanka de Jilme (Paul Philippe Ploquin), I Want You (Julien Dubois), Icone de Castelle (Alexandre Abrivard) and Inoubliable.

There is no doubt that Idao de Tillard (Clement Duvaldestin) is the favourite in the Prix Octave Douesnel (4th race/15.50/120,000 Euro/2700 m). The four-year-old immediately found his way back to winning ways after two `red` forms in the Grand Prix du Sud-Ouest (Group 2) and then once again left no doubt about his great class in the Prix Marcel Lauent (Group 2). Ideal du Pommeau (Matthieu Abrivard) made a name for himself as the final winner in the `U.E.T.`. Later he followed up in the Prix de Chenonceaux (Group 3), leaving Ideal Ligneries (Franck Nivard) well behind. Italiano Vero (David Thomain) defeated the Guarato protégé in the Critérium des 4 Ans (Group 1) and also gave Izoard Vedaquais (Eric Raffin) and Instrumentaliste (Gabriele Gelormini) a clear rebuff. Carlomagno d`Esi (Alexandre Abrivard) currently won a highly decorated test in Italy against Capital Mail (Mario Minopoli jr.), among others. In his last appearance in Vincennes, he lost to his compatriot Cocco Bfc (Franck Ouvrie).