Created in 2008, the Prix Ténor de Baune traditionally offers a ticket to the Prix d’Amérique to its winner. Promoted to Group I in 2022, it was successively won by Horsy Dream et Idao de Tillard, to which Jushua Tree seemed to embody a natural successor until the thunderbolt at the start of the week. The other champion of the promotion, Josh Power, having opted for a different route leading to the last Sunday in January, it seems logical to turn to their usual runners-up. If Just Love You already has his qualification for January 26 in his pocket, this is not the case for his eleven rivals (after the withdrawal of Joumba de Guez).
Jushua Tree being absent, another son of Bold Eagle, more physically signed, could replace it. Justin Bold is a serious contender for victory, especially since he will be playing unshod on all four feet for the first time in his career. “I found the amazing horse at work Monday morning, assured Jean-Rémi Delliaux to Olivier Galant. All the lights are green, even if a mare like Just Love You is not the first coming.”
The student of Michèle Bliard (read below) embodies, in fact, the only classic winner of the peloton (Prix Ourasi 2023). Third of the two behemoths mentioned above in the Critérium des 5 Ans, after having committed a mistake at the start of the course, Just Love You has just behaved more than honorably with his irons and will perform “D4” for only the second time. She will try to imitate Fairy Wood, the most recent mare on the list, also trained by Laurent Abrivard and driven by Alexandre.
Ambitious entourages
Monday in Grosbois, there was confidence among Damien Bonne regarding Jewelcandle Fac : “I'm going there with a mare in great shape and who has progressed further since the spring. She can do a big last kilometer. I see a real chance of finishing in the top three, if everything goes well.” Led by Franck Ouvrie, Jazzman Debailleul will also have fervent supporters. “We resolved the two or three small problems that were bothering him and he worked very well, explained Erno Szirmay to Alexandre Duvey. I hope he will be strong on Sunday!”Having finished on the same line as Just Love You in the Critérium des 5 Ans, Eat Vici won't leave beaten, either. “He is as fit as he was during this period, consider Antonio Ripoll Rigo. After a few packages, including that of Jushua Tree, we start to dream a little more but there are still “clients”. It will mainly be a question of route.”
Above all, you should not underestimate Swedish. Working Class Hero, remaining on two convincing successes. “He didn't have to give his all to win, judged Jörgen Westholm alongside Michel Burgio last Sunday. He is a horse who continues to progress.” His compatriot the leg, who gave a remarkable reply to Joumba de Guez in the Prix de Chenonceaux, really appreciates the cendrée. He will aim for a place, like Jack Tonic, to be credited with a good start to the school year.
