The starters for Quinté+ this Saturday, January 4
BRETEUIL PRICESATURDAY JANUARY 4
PARIS-Vincennes – 2100 METERS – DEPARTURE: 3:15 p.m.
The forces present
During his last outing, HOCHE (2) would probably have played a leading role if he had not committed the irreparable at the intersection of the tracks. Although only his previous shoes removed, he seems able to set the record straight. The opposition will be led by HARDI CROWN (5), absolutely impeccable last season, FURIOSO FLIGNY (12), in full possession of his means, and HELLO PANAME (7), presented this time unshod on all four feet. GUERRIER CASTELETS (8) generally runs well after a period of rest and finds a route he likes. If he negotiates this number well, he has the means to get on the podium. GYS (6), with a nice burst of final speed, GALION (14), performing well in the second half of 2024, and FELICITA D’ECOUVES (13), limited but associated with Éric Raffin, will complete our selection.
Mickaël AFRIAT’s prediction
| 2 | 5 | 12 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 14 | 13 |
| HOOK | HARDI CROWN | FURIOSO FLIGNY | HELLO PANAME | CASTELETS WARRIOR | SHIELD | GALLEON | FELICITA D’ECOUVES |
The starters in detail and the opinions of the pros
1 – HERMES ANGEL
This eclectic horse showed his form in the mounted trot and was placed fourth on this speed course a year ago, in 1’11″4. However, he has no room for maneuver and seems a tone below of the main favorites. For fourth or fifth place only.
Denis Brossard, coach:
“Hermès Angel (1) is in business in both specialties. He has just proven his form under the saddle, right here. In this Prix de Breteuil, he is in his category. Of course, he has no room for maneuver but his position behind the autostart will help him in his task. A place remains possible at the end of a favorable course. »
2 – HOOK
This son of Texas Charm would undoubtedly have played a leading role on December 7 if he had not committed the irreparable at the intersection of the tracks. He has the best record on this course (1’10″7) and finds here a great opportunity to redeem himself. Candidate for victory.
François Lagadeuc, driver:
“In the Prix d’Hautefort, Hoche (2) was still in the lead when he escaped from me at the intersection of the tracks. He was tense but maybe I wasn’t wary enough. However, I know him well. Since then, in training, he hasn’t looked bad. I preferred to wait for this commitment which is similar to that of the last time. Since he’s not a big mover, I hope he doesn’t get tied up. An outside number wouldn’t have been worse. We’ll see. »
3 – GORDON MIJACK
After his failure on November 25, this son of Ultissimo joined the workforce of Alexandre de Jésus. He displays a zero score on this course (in three outings) and must above all reassure. Despite Mathieu Mottier’s drive, his task promises to be complicated.
Alexandre de Jésus, trainer:
“Gordon Mijack (3) has recently arrived at the stable. Honestly, I can’t judge it at the moment. He went to the beach and seems wide awake. Saturday, the commitment is interesting. I saw in his paper that he already proved his speed not so long ago during a race with Eric Raffin. I can’t wait to see how he behaves and maybe we will be pleasantly surprised…”
4 – FLYING BRICKELL
This hard-working horse could not do better than sixth during his first five attempts for Franck Terry. He will present himself in “race mode” after two training courses, but his state of form remains uncertain. Serious doubts surround his candidacy.
Cédric Terry, driver:
“The latest results from Flying Brickell (4) should not be taken literally. In the Prix d’Hautefort, he made a comeback. The next time at Pontchâteau, he got away in the last corner even though he was following well and could claim a place. He returned in good condition. Saturday, the commitment is interesting. It adapts to all distances and I am convinced that it will perform well. I add that it will be lighter in its fittings. »
5 – HARDI CROWN
This regular trotter has just had an excellent semi-return on the Mauquenchy racecourse (2nd). He has already shone on speed courses and gets along perfectly with Yoann Lebourgeois. Everything seems to come together for him to play a good role.
Dominik Locqueneux, coach:
“In Mauquenchy, Hardi Crown (5) made a small comeback after benefiting from a break. He held his part well and has gained in condition since. I will not hide from you that I have focused his preparation with a view to this favorable commitment. The distance doesn’t matter to him. He has all my confidence. »
6 – SHIELD
Handicapped by the number 9 behind the car during his last outing, this waiter made a promising final effort to take fifth place. He loves this course and benefits from a very favorable commitment here. At the end of a tailor-made course, he can aim for the finish.
Eric Beauvais, coach:
“Served by his number 9 behind the autostart in the Prix d’Hautefort, Gys was caught when starting then his partner let him slip among the last on the descent. He then followed in the car of three on the climb and extended his effort very well in the middle of the track, all along the straight. He is a little better off on Saturday. He became fresh again and I preferred to wait for this engagement with him. »
7 – HELLO PANAME
This representative of the Écurie de Damier, whose coat shone brightly in 2024, discovers here a golden commitment at €445 from the ceiling, only against his elders. He appreciates the speed courses and will appear completely unshod for only the fourth time in his career. Watch out for him!
Pierre-Yves Verva, driver:
“Hello Paname (7) will progress over her preferred distance. He has held his game well lately, without always being lucky, but you have to hide the effort from him, a tactic which carries risks. We will have to deal with number 7 but normally, he starts well. It’s a great race for him! »
8 – CASTELETS WARRIOR
Absent since his disqualification in the Grand Prix de la Toussaint (Gr.3), on October 26 in Mons, this protégé of Barbara Guenet has a habit of running well fresh. He has already obtained six podiums on this course (including two victories) and deserves a special mention.
Barbara Guenet, coach:
“We must not take into account the last failure of Guerrier Castelets (8) in Mons. With his number in the second line, everything went wrong. In training, he is in optimal shape. He likes behind the autostart and benefits from a favorable commitment. Matthieu Abrivard being on layoff, he will be led by David Thomain, with whom he has already established himself. I strongly advise you to buy it again. »
9 – FILOU DE LARRE
During his last outing, this gelding was literally knocked out of the race in the final turn, even though he seemed to have resources. Performing barefoot, he however has no reference on speed courses. Whether or not to retain it is a matter of impression.
Sylvain Roger, trainer:
“Last month at Vincennes, Filou de Larre (9) had bad luck entering the last turn where he “hit a wall”, ending up galloping. It’s a shame because he followed freely on the rope and I think he could have taken an active part in the finish. On Saturday, the entry was favorable, but it was not spoiled by the draw for the places allocated behind the car. He also lacks experience over 2100 meters. As he gets older, he has gained speed and I can’t wait to follow his behavior. In any case, he is at his best and still wants it. »
10 – GO GO GIGI
If she obtained all her podiums in mounted trotting, this student of Jean-Louis Labigne has already shown good performances in harness, as in the Quinté+ of November 13 at Mauquenchy (4th). She has no margin but can claim a place.
Jean-Louis Labigne, trainer:
“Go Go Gigi (10) is not always easy to grasp. She needs a clear race, which she was not able to benefit from during her last outing at Vincennes where she was forced to progress thickly on the climb. Conditionally, she is good. With number 10, she will be able to wait inside. If she has the opening to finish, she is able to finish quickly and maybe take an allocation. Fourth or fifth place would be more than satisfying for me. »
11 – HERMINE GIRL
This well-known mare will compete here in the hundredth race of her career. She has shown her limits for a long time and has not tasted the joys of the harness podium since July 2022. Her presence at the finish would be very surprising.
Stéphane Provoost, coach:
“Hermine Girl (11) did not work badly in view of this engagement which remains rather interesting, against the “old guys”. The distance won’t bother her. Of course, starting on the second row is not an advantage, but I prefer such a lane to number 9. If she provides her true value, she is quite capable of finishing in the top five. »
12 – FURIOSO FLIGNY
Despite a difficult course, this 10-year-old gelding held his part remarkably during his last outing (3rd), when he was unshod on all four feet for the first time. Also competitive with his “shoes”, he finds here a course that he likes. For a place.
Alexandre de Jésus, trainer:
“Furioso Fligny (12) ran very well last time. He was unshod on all four feet and wore out quite a bit of horn in this configuration. His feet remain sensitive and I’m going to leave him in shoes this Saturday, but with extremely light irons, as when he was released on December 6. His form is sure and I think he has a very good card to play in such company. »
13 – FELICITA D’ECOUVES
This serious mare showed her limits and could not do better than eighth during her last two attempts in good groups of females. However, it has already shone on this course and will be driven by the insatiable Éric Raffin. A surprise cannot be ruled out.
Julien Vilault, coach:
“Felicita d’Ecouves (13) performed well last month on the 2700 meters of the big track. As she gets older, I wonder if she isn’t more efficient over long distances. Nevertheless, she is a chic mare who adapts to everything. She still has the desire, which is important. I opted for this commitment in order to avoid a trip to Cagnes-sur-Mer. She will start in the second row behind the autostart, but if she can be brought back in optimal conditions, she could finish fourth or fifth. »
14 – GALLEON
Absent since his convincing debut in mounted trotting on October 17 at Enghien (2nd), this son of Quaro will make a small comeback here. He appreciates speed courses and will go barefoot from the start. With a good course of racing, he can integrate the winning combination.
Alexandre de Jésus, trainer:
“Of course, it will be a comeback for Galion (14), but he worked very well. So I made the decision to unshoe him from the start. I add that he generally runs well on fresh conditions. Like Furioso Fligny, he has a serious chance against such opponents. »
Press favorites
SUMMARY 2 – 5 – 8 – 6 – 7 – 12 – 14 – 9
Today’s stats
Our prediction shows
3 mn PRONOS you 04/01
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WINNING TICKET from 04/01
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