Salt Jem: the logical favorite
Winner of two preparatory (Prix Troytown et Murat) in three attempts, he will be the legitimate favourite. This 5-year-old jumper (who has 9 races for 5 wins and 4 places) has just been overtaken (but not beaten) by his boxing companion Will-o’-the-wisp last Saturday (April 30) in the final warm-up lap (Ingre Prize). He will approach the distance of 6,000 for the first time but “demands limits” since the end of his year of 4 years. Only negative point in my opinion, if the race rolls on the way out, he can suffer the rhythm. That said, this “diesel” should come in ascending form, with enough experience to claim the podium and maybe better. He will definitely be the favourite.
Feu Follet: “the old guard”
He is only 7 years old but will be one of the most experienced in this edition. He is already placed in the spring and fall marathon as well. Moreover, Will-o’-the-wisp would certainly have fought for the win with Balloon Doctor in the 2021 edition of this event without the fall of its jockey. His form is sure, and his experience a non-negligible asset because some other applicants are less seasoned on the proposed route.
Feu Follet won the Prix Ingré on Saturday ahead of his boxmate, Sel Jem
Five Francois Nicolle
Happy Monarchthe winner of the first preparatory (Robert de Clermont-Tonnerre Prize) on its momentum from the Grand Prix de Pau, seems below some in theoretical value but it has its place at the start. He will tackle the race on May 22 fresh following his third place in the Prix Murat at 10 1/4 lengths Sel Jem (and behind Dream Wish).
The young and pretty Starlet du Mesnil (5 years old) will also discover the Grand Steeplechase distance. Second of Robert de Clermont-Tonnerre Prize and recent third in the Ingre Priceshe will absolutely have to manage her “desire” but her level is good.
Eddy de Balme (8 years old) was sixth in the previous edition of this summit of the horse racing calendar. He just finished fourth in the Ingre Pricethis is not a first chance.
Glory will start on the course. Second of the great absentee Srelighonn in Georges Courtois Prize 2021, Glory only ran one and only one race this year. In the Prix Murat of April 9, he finished fourth in Sel Jem, Dream Wish et Happy Monarch.
Niko Has is perhaps the best asset of François Nicolle. He is 5 years old and has just dominated the Prix William Head (ten front lengths Arthel’s Stake or Doctor Squeeze…). Good hurdle foal at Auteuil at 3 years old (Piomares Prize), excellent steeplechase horse at 4 years old (Triquerville Prize) and dolphin of Sel Jem in the Bayonnet Prize, Niko Has is still inexperienced (only 8 races for 5 victories) but approaches his first Grand Steeplechase with serious pretensions.
Dream Wish: far from being a stooge
Dream Wish has the potential to be in the game! Fourth then second of the two preparatory races won by Sel Jem, Dream Wish was the best 3-year-old from Auteuil over a steeplechase (Prix Congress), one of the best 4-year-olds in this specialty and this year it is evolving. He will be better than an outsider for his first Grand Steeplechase at the age of 6.
Gex: “the quiet father”
From the height of his 6 years, Gex does not know the distance or the outer track. In the 2000 edition, Or Jack finished second in Old Beaufai discovering the outside line but had gained experience on the steeples ofAuteuil et Milan.
Let’s go back to Gex. In theory, the business looks complicated but in practice this excellent jumper can quite achieve a great performance. This Gexwho caught my eye at the end of 2020 for his victorious debut at Pau, is a versatile element capable of adapting to many things. He will still have to take a step since he has just flown over the Price of Saumur (all in control) but “only” in front Thenac et The Lude.