There’s some excellent jumping action to look forward to at one of my all-time favourite tracks Compiegne on the same card. All the big names are out on a card that is packed full of quality with three Group races and three Listed races.
So many big names out on Sunday’s card and the big race favourite L’AUTONOMIE looks unbeatable (but at too short a price).
It’s hard to know where to start with such great races on and I am very confident in both my NAP and N/B selections. I would suggest doing a small double on them, hopefully one or two of the others will get the job done also.
13:35 Le Berry (NAP)
A four-year-old’s Listed novice chase is possibly a risky zone to be putting up a NAP, but David Cottin-trained LE BERRY looked like one of the best jumpers in France when demolishing rivals at this course a few weeks ago.
This is a yard that is really going places and Cottin holds Le Berry in high esteem. The grey son of Gemix is sure to be given another forceful front running ride by his jockey Kevin Nabet and I can’t see many of the field been able to keep up with the pace he is sure to set.
Trainer Cottin has always called Le Berry a Group One horse and if that is to be believed, then he should have no problem making light work of his nine rivals here.
14:55 El Gringo (Each-Way) @ 16/1
Looks a revelation since changing yard and EL GRINGO was only beaten three lengths by the big race favourite l’Autonomie last time out. The vibes have been good from the yard in the run up to this and the switch to Compiegne can be an advantage.
James Reveley gets on very well with the gelding and if the odds-on favourite does backfire, El Gringo should be there to pick up the pieces. He has a very simple running style and can be placed anywhere in the field.
He normally jumps perfectly and even if the favourite wins, then El Gringo is the perfect horse to fill one of the placings – therefore taking small profit.
15:25 Feu Follet (Next Best)
It’s a difficult task taking on the older horses in the replacement race to the Grand Steeple Chase de Paris (as Auteuil is still closed due to being in Paris). FEU FOLLET is really going to have to be at his brilliant best to get the better of a quality field.
A great comeback run the last day seen the Guillaume Macaire-trained gelding stay on strongly to finish second and I reckon he may go one closer her for three reasons:
- Macaires horses look like they have needed a run since the return from lockdown
- Baptiste le Clerc takes over as jockey and is a much more aggressive rider than Bertrand Lestrade. He will possibly ride closer to the front
- Feu Follet has a superb record at the track and much prefers it to Auteuil
I believe this horse has tons of quality and should develop into a champion, although Crystal Beach could be the danger in this race.
16:45 Want of a Nail (Dark Horse)
A horse that massively let me down the last day, but I am willing to give her another chance.
The yard came out with a few excuses for that poor run and her jumping was a bit tacky. Felix de Giles will hopefully be able to get WANT OF A NAIL positioned towards the front and into a nice rhythm with the change to Compiegne possibly the key to getting her back on track.
She is the highest rated in the race and comes from an excellent family, it would be unlike Guillaume Macaire to take this kind of risk if he didn’t think she was up for it.
* Prices correct at publishing but are subject to change except on our snazzy new bet widget which is bang up to date.
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