Two classics at Christmas

Paris-Vincennes, Saturday, 24 December: Great races will also be decided at Vincennes at Christmas. Two classics for four- and five-year-old horses that can qualify for the Prix d`Amérique as well as a trotting race with older candidates will be in the spotlight.

The Prix Tenor de Baune (6th race/15.15pm/200,000 euros/2700m) appeals to the vintage of 2017. Hohneck (Francois Lagadeuc) has qualified for the `Amérique` on his win total alone, but still wants to win this test. The Allaire protégé, who finished third in the Prix Doynel de Saint-Quentin (Group 2) last time out, will be challenged by Swedish Derby winner Calgary Games (Björn Goop), who recently gave a taste of his exceptional ability in Solvalla. Another promising contender from Sweden is Honey Mearas (Örjan Kihlström), who was not to be beaten in the recent Stoelites final and clearly left Barbro Kronos (Franck Ouvrie) behind. Happy Valley (Jean-Philippe Dubois) repeatedly came in ahead of Hohneck and should play a supporting role as well as Hip Hop Haufor (Christian Bigeon), the winner in the Prix de Belgique (Group 2) over Hooker Berry who later showed up in the Prix du Bourbonnais (Group 2).

In the Critérium Continental (8th race/16.25 h/200,000 Euro/2100 m) there will be a battle between Italy and France. Numerous horses from the boot country are represented with good chances, such as the established Cash Bank Bigi (Benjamin Rochard) and Callmethebreeze (Andrea Guzzinati) as well as Charmant de Zack (Jean-Michel Bazire), who makes his debut in the hands of the French champion. To beat is Instrumentaliste (Gabriele Gelormini), who surprisingly beat Idao de Tillard (Clement Duvaldestin) in the Prix Octave Douesnel (Group 2). Inmarosa (Leo Abrivard) battled Cash Bank Bigi for the win, a reversal of form is not out of the question. I Love Me (Yoann Lebourgeois) pulled off well behind.

The saddle trotters will contest the Prix Jules Lemonnier (7th race/15.50/120,000 Euro/2175 m). Granvillaise Bleue (Camille Levesque) knew how to convince in the Prix Paul Buquet (Group 2) even in defeat and goes into the race here as favourite. Clegs des Champs (David Thomain), Get Lovely Delo (Yoann Lebourgeois) and Chalimar de Guez (Jean-Yann Ricart), who came in behind her, are again speculating on a good placing.