Races in Pau: huge popular success of Christmas at the racecourse

Without a doubt the “Christmas at the racecourse” effect and the entertainment, added to the variety of the program: the car park was already almost full shortly before 11 a.m., the start of operations for this third day of the Meeting.

Half an hour later, the stands and the weighing machine were full to witness the start of the Prix Jean d’Ariste. The heavy terrain (4.9) favored the company of Lovely Guy, prepared in Royan by Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé. Gaétan Masure recalled that he had ridden this gray during his only flat outing. This complicity allowed him to make the best use of it against two new players, Laurets d’Estruval and Loustic d’Erable. It was the second and Florentin who left us the best impression for the future.

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Once again there are neophytes in the Prix de Soumoulou, but still Anglo-Arabs, over the hurdles. Waiting, Nougaro, who was discovering the competition, got the better of the leaders Raman Champcourt, who gave in at the last turn, and Naxos. The latter, however, conceded five and a half lengths to the chestnut of Daniela Mele, driven by Lucas Zuliani, still in the race for the Cravache d’Or against Clément Lefebvre.

Change of generation and obstacles with the 5th anniversary of the Prix Pau Commerces. Two confirmed riders, saddled by Jérôme Delaunay, Jingle Denuo and Vision du Rheu, escaped the turbulence of the course caused by the loose horse, the Joliedexe mare who had thrown her jockey. The returning Vision du Rheu gave way after jumping the final hurdle, ranking six lengths behind Jingle Denuo, driven by Wilfried Lajon.

A cross without a hitch

Even if it were at 1 p.m., the cross-country always arouses enthusiasm in Pont-Long. What’s more when the victory of this Henry Ridgway Prize is decided by a neck between the host Katell des Blins and Maître d’Hôtel, who came to attack her along the length of the lists near the post. James Reveley had chosen to control the event from start to finish. Despite a fault from the mare presented by Jéromine Le Stang, at the reception of the Petit Passage de Route, he carried out his task successfully in front of his contemporary Maître d’Hôtel (4 years old). The 4 and 5 year olds completed the 4,100 meters without falling. Karamba de Guye was not unworthy, third, a length and a half from the winner and clearly preceding Kanelle Collonges and Kahid de Frégance.

The PSF, which opened the 2024-2025 season ten days ago, was the scene of a local victory, that of Julian Resimont, thanks to Marvelous by Night (Guillaume Guedj-Gay).

It is a team already in good shape, that of Jérôme Delaunay, which placed its two steeple chasers on the podium of the Prix de Pardies. Jumping Charlie (Wilfried Lajon) was on the first step, Baron Zanzi, a good finisher, on the third, narrowly beaten (1/2 length) by Doctor Kaleo behind the winner (6.5 lengths).