Arrival of the fifth: 9 – 12 – 16 – 8 – 2
With 225,000 euros in allowances, the President of the Republic Prize is the best endowed handicap of the year in jumping. Support of the Sunday quinté, it pitted eighteen steeple-chasers, aged 6 to 11, on the demanding course of 4700 meters. This group III gave pride of place to the outsiders since the fifth in the order exceeds one million euros. Absent since his fall on November 28 at Auteuil, Road Mix Tavel (n°9) managed the feat of making a victorious comeback at odds of 38/1.
Waiting not far from the leading group, this 7-year-old mare produced excellent acceleration in the final phase and was not caught. She imposed herself in a pleasant way leaving her immediate follower at eight lengths, to the delight of her jockey Dylan Salmon, 21: “I’m living a dream. This is my first victory at Auteuil and I had never jumped the big open-ditch before. Winning a Group III is magic. Passing this obstacle was great especially with this very good jumper. His break was profitable to him. I haven’t slept all night since I found out I was doing this race. »
Eight lengths from the winner, Furie d’Ainay (n°12), the second mare in the race, takes a courageous second place. She is ahead of another outsider, Captain Speaking (n°16) which achieves an excellent performance. Sixth for his debut at this level in January at Pau, this 7-year-old gelding proves that he is worth such a test in 56 value. Real metronome Polisud (n°8) has once again answered present. The pupil of François Nicolle behaved remarkably for his first steps in the big handicaps. Mounted patiently, he made a good effort to take fourth place. One of the favourites, Darling des Bordes (n°2) completes the arrival of the quinté
Great Uncle (n°3), Filup (n°11), Pebble of the Pits (#17) and Black Boa (#18) were at fault and ejected their partner.