The day of glory has arrived, but for whom? Few people considered the coronation ofEsperanza Idole twelve months ago, and the outcome of the 2025 edition looks just as uncertain. In the absence of Maple Jeroboamone thing appears more than probable: the highest step of the podium should be occupied by a mare, as suggested by the trend observed for several seasons in this group I.
Many forecasters and professionals put forward a mini-list of four contenders for victory. On paper, Gazelle de Val embodies not only the oldest, but the least capped among them. The Mayennaise nevertheless presents itself crowned with seven demonstrations in as many appearances under the saddle of Mathieu Mottier, a multiple Etrier d’Or at the top of his art this winter, who could pilot it in the manner of Flame of the Goutier in 2023. His limits remain unknown, but he will absolutely have to smash his record on the long track courses (1’13”) in order to win the Grail. “She is progressing all the time, assured Eric Lambertz to Arnaud Lecomte. Our opponents will be more ready than in “Calvados” and we will see if she can beat them again.”
Another Éric (Raffin), but from Vendéen, will have high ambitions with the one he recently compared to Roxane Griff (heroine of the 2014 and 2015 editions), namely Joumba de Guez, leader of the 6-year-old females even if she had to lose narrowly in the Prix Bilibili. “She has further gained in condition since her recent great victory, certified Nicolas Bazire to Christophe Meyer. There are some good people at the start and she is one of them.”
The 7-year-old generation will be represented by the formidable Ideal Oak et Ina du Rib, respectively third and fourth on the penultimate Sunday of January 2024. The representative of Yvonne Guedj boasts, among other things, tremendous consistency at the top level since a very young age, while that of Joël Hallais probably has a little something extra in pure class when it moves unshod on all four feet (it has only been ridden three times so far, with two classic successes to boot), but at the same time has more faults (fragile, unwieldy and bad turning). In any case, the Norman could provide new proof that his nickname “Monsieur Cornulier” is not overused.
-They will be on the lookout
There will inevitably be a lack of space on this page to discuss all the contenders for places in this unique quinté of the year contested on a mounted trot. The venerable Edition Géma, who reigned supreme over the specialty from the end of January to the end of April 2024 (four demonstrations in a row in the groups) regains his sensations at the appropriate time. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see her reach the podium”declared Marc Sassier.
Faller of Joumba de Guez in the Bilibili Prize, Jezabelle Bie represents the revelation of winter and has, potentially, never ceased to amaze. “We go there to have fun, but obviously hoping to obtain the best possible result”exclaimed Mike Izzo. Like its illustrious progenitor, I de Bellouet, Blue Granvillaise will reach the number of four participations in the Prix de Cornulier on Sunday. His mentor, Pierre Levesque, reasonably believes in it: “Although the mare is no longer very young, I find her really good at the moment. The talent of his jockey (editor’s note, Alexandre Abrivard will discover it) can help him finish in the top three.”
Jasmine de Vau, another 6 year old on the rise, Rib Swallow, heroic second of the previous edition with the same Noé Perron, Jean Balthazar, “D4” under the saddle for only the third time, Jewelcandle Fac, judged on her performance in the 2023 Jag de Bellouet Prize (when she failed by one breath against Joumba de Guez) all promise to be competitive, depending on how the race goes. The least confirmed climber of the peloton (seventh in his only attempt, fourteen months ago), Hip Hop Haufor demonstrated his optimal form in the harness and has nothing to lose.