Tested positive for leptospirosis, a bacterial disease, and under treatment following his eighth place in the Prix du Bourbonnais, on December 8, Idao de Tillard had to be slowed down for eight days, before being able to return to work normally last week. Six days before an important Prix de Bourgogne, in which he will have to reassure everyone, the winner of the 2024 Prix d'Amérique practiced in a straight line Monday morning. “The horse worked welllearns Thierry Duvaldestin. He has a little better hair and looks prettier. Also, it is very flexible. I don't think he's bad, even if he's certainly not the horse of last winter where he was extraordinary. It keeps in the morning, so it’s hard to say it’s better now that it’s been treated.” Uncertainty reigns in the Duvaldestin clan and the Ornais professional admits “to be in the fog” with his champion. “Honestly, deep down I don't know what his behavior will be, but of course I hope he shows a better face than last time. Normally, he will be plated on his front legs and unshod on his hind legs, as in the Prix du Bourbonnais”completes the one who will finish at the top of the list among coaches for the fourth year in a row. Let's hope for the show thatIdao de Tillard sends positive signals on Sunday, in a race which will probably dictate the rest of its meeting.
Gu d'Héripré to defend his title
His training companion, Gu d'Héripréis also guaranteed to start at the front of the line, arriving in ninth position of the richest horses among those entered. Winner of this event on December 31, 2023 (while he was 16th behind the autostart), the son of Coktail Jet will try to qualify for the “Legend Race”, after finishing good sixth in the Prix du Bourbonnais. “His race was correct and encouraging that day, especially since he needs to get back into the rhythm of the competition after having experienced some problems in the fallindicates Thierry Duvaldestin. I hope he got on that. He will be better by chaining the races. Everything was fine at work Monday morning. I can't unshod him again, he will then be stuck in his front legs.” Théo Duvaldestin should be on his sulky, Ampia Mede Sm (absent Sunday) having joined Erik Bondo's squad.
