The starters for Quinté+ this Wednesday, January 8.
AUGUSTE PRICE OF CASTELBAJACWEDNESDAY JANUARY 8
Pau – 4000 METERS – DEPARTURE: 1:55 p.m.
The forces present
Endowed with a formidable peak of final speed, HUPECA DE THAIX (12) also has serious references on the Pau racecourse. If it benefits from a smooth journey, this quality subject will not be far from the truth. Long on the sidelines after his participation in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris 2023, DOCTOR KALEO (4) has just shown a clear return to form on the course that interests us. Theoretically competitive in value 60, it easily has its place on the podium. Trained by the very fit Daniela Mele, CALIGRAMME (2) and MIRALAGO (1) seem able to stand out despite their heavy weight. Between them, we will insert ECOTE EN TETE (5), convincing on December 11 for his debut on the Béarn steeple. HURRICK DES OBEAUX (16) is well located at the bottom of the table and is an essential choice for places, even if he would perhaps have preferred a shorter distance. INSIDE MONTLIOUX (8), in his garden at Pont-Long, and ALWAYS LOVE YOU (13), whose latest attempt is better than the raw result indicates, cannot be ignored at the time of choice.
Mickaël AFRIAT’s prediction
| 12 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 16 | 8 | 13 |
| THAIX HUPECA | DOCTOR KALEO | CALIGRAMME | LISTENING IN HEAD | MIRALAGO | OBEY HURRICK | INSIDE MONTLIOUX | ALWAYS LOVE YOU |
The starters in detail and the opinions of the pros
1 – MIRALAGO
Fourth in the 2023 edition and seventh in 2024 (with a value of 61 both times), this son of Doctor Dino returns this year with a value of 63. If he has no margin in weight, his current form and his aptitude for Sticky pitches give him a serious chance for places.
The reporter’s opinion:
“Miralago (1) has regained some freshness since its two excellent outings in November. He appreciates the Pau racecourse and should not be forgotten at the time of choice, even if his value leaves him no room for maneuver. »
2 – CALIGRAMME
This protégé of Daniela Mele has already won on the Pau steeplechase and held his own against gifted subjects throughout 2024. Performing well on difficult slopes, he also depends on successful training. First chance.
The reporter’s opinion:
“The favorite party for the last President of the Republic Prize, Caligramme (2) has a theoretical first chance in such an event. Equipped with sheepskins for the first time, he returned to Pont-Long with legitimate ambitions. »
3 – GALLOX
This 9 year old gelding is none other than the title holder of this meeting. However, he will present this year with two kilos more and was largely dominated on the day of his return to hurdles. Pros and cons.
Camille Peltier, trainer:
“Gallox (3) made his comeback over hurdles in Toulouse on October 23 and his trainer at the time told me that the horse was not in 100% condition. He hasn’t raced since this outing but he’s doing well. When he arrived at the stable, he really wasn’t ready so I hope he won’t lack rhythm, even if I find him getting better and better. It appreciates the heavy terrain and the track of Pau, but I do not find it in the best position in terms of weight in this Quinté+. We are mainly aiming for a place. »
4 – DOCTOR KALEO
This student of Alain Couétil has not been spared health problems and will only compete in his 25th race at the age of 10. On the rise, as evidenced by his recent success on this course, he also finds handicaps with an attractive value. Candidate for the podium.
Alain Couétil, trainer:
“Doctor Kaléo (4) ran very well recently on this course. It has remained in good shape and is well placed in terms of weight in this Quinté+. In addition, it will benefit from the softening of the terrain. He has a great card to play. »
5 – LISTENING IN HEAD
This Quinté+ winner has just made a victorious debut at the Pau racecourse, on the course that interests us. Very competitive at this value and indifferent to the state of the ground, he has a good theoretical chance.
Camille Peltier, trainer:
“Ecoute en Tête (5) was a little fed up with Auteuil. He really likes Pau, as his latest success on this course attests. He is in top form and has maintained optimal form since this outing. I find that it is well placed in terms of weight in this Quinté+. He should play a leading role. »
6 – GAI LURON
This representative of Haras de Saint-Voir has just shown his form at Moulins. However, he has not raced on the Pau steeplechase since February 2020 and has no room for maneuver in value 59.5. At the end of the trail only.
Nicolas de Lageneste, trainer:
“Gai Luron (6) is in good shape, as shown by his recent very easy success at the Moulins racecourse. I think he’s feeling better at the moment. It’s been several years since he last raced in Pau but he is very right-handed so there is no problem in that regard. He has the means to take a place. »
7 – GRAND CLERMONT
Penalized by five pounds for his success on October 30 at Auteuil, this son of Maresca Sorrento then confirmed his good intentions in the Prix Général Donio (3rd). He has already shone on smooth courses, but his margin is reduced to 59. For fourth or fifth place.
Mathéo Viel, coach:
“Grand Clermont (407) likes heavy terrain and should be served on Wednesday. We gave him a little freshness because he runs well in this configuration. The lot is not easy but it arrives in good shape. Judged on his latest performances at Auteuil, he has a say in the places. »
8 – INSIDE MONTLIOUX
Holder of three successes over the Pau hurdles, this 8-year-old gelding has just made a victorious debut on the local steeple. Comfortable on sticky terrain and efficient with blinkers, he can overcome his penalty. To remember.
Erwan Grall, coach:
“Inside Montlioux (8) is good for morale. He has remained in good condition since his last victory on this course. I think he is sharper in steeplechase now. He likes Pau and really loves the heavy terrain. I think he will struggle to win, but he has his place in the top five. »
9 – JINGLE DENUO
Winner in his only attempt on this course, on December 15, this representative of Liliane Denuault will make his debut here in a handicap on the steeple. He probably doesn’t have a big margin in value 58, but the great form of his entourage will earn him some supporters.
Jérôme Delaunay, trainer:
“I declared Jingle Denuo (9) in this event because he is in good shape and often achieves extra value when the ground is heavy. It doesn’t have too much margin in the handicaps but it is worth this value when the tracks are difficult. I advise you not to neglect it. »
10 – KRAKEN
This son of the Holy of Holies simply started last April and has not yet tasted the joys of success. He has significant room for improvement but faces much more hardened and experienced competitors. Simple outsider.
Hugo Mérien, trainer:
“I’ve wanted to see Kraken (10) in the steeplechase for a long time and he performed well at Moulins recently. I think he doesn’t deserve his 60 value, but I don’t have a choice in commitments. Despite his form, he discovers a very complicated task. »
11 – THE ANGRY
Developed by Arnaud Chaillé-Chaillé, it was unable to convince during its two attempts in October. He has regained freshness and should enjoy the steeplechase in Pau, but he is tackling a strong challenge here. It will only be considered in the event of failures.
The reporter’s opinion:
“Disappointing in the Prix André Adèle, although it was very whispered, L’Arrabiato (11) is undoubtedly better than its recent music indicates. Performing on freshness, it deserves a mention as soon as it reappears. »
12 – THAIX HUPECA
This excellent finisher is in his garden in Pau and has just left a formidable impression behind INSIDE MONTLIOUX (8) in the Prix Jean Lamaysouette. At the end of a smooth journey, he will not be far from the truth. A priority.
Erwan Grall, coach:
“Hupeca de Thaix (12) knows the course and will play on heavy terrain that he likes. Moreover, he is in good shape and his weight is correct. He is always a little ahead of himself but generally finishes his courses well, even if his efforts sometimes prove too late. He is competitive at this value and has a first chance in such a lot. »
13 – ALWAYS LOVE YOU
In seven attempts on the Pau steeplechase, this representative of Patrick Joubert finished in the first five six times. His final performance is better than it seems and note that he finished fifth in the 2024 edition of this event. Attention.
Jérôme Delaunay, trainer:
“I was very pleased with the last race of Always Love You (13) on this course. He was fitted with blinders for the first time and he seemed much more concerned. It is true that it is not very courageous, but I am convinced that it is worth such a Quinté+. He loves this racecourse and has his place at the finish. »
14 – CHEEK TO CHEEK
Color companion of ALWAYS LOVE YOU (13), this fan of forward running caused a big disappointment last time, for her return to Pau (5th out of 5). She must prove herself in the big handicaps and seems a tone below the main favorites. Not easy.
Hugo Mérien, trainer:
“Joue versus Joue (14) finished fifth for his first race of the meeting. She presented herself closely but was able to get her bearings on this racecourse. It has regained freshness and I find it well placed in weight. His place is in the top five. »
15 – GALLOP YOU LARGE
Noticed on the Cagnois steeplechase on December 2, this student from the Peltier family then disappointed on the “brooms”. It has no reference to Pont-Long but has several places in large, well-composed handicaps. A big regret.
Camille Peltier, trainer:
“We should not take into account the last outing of Galop du Large (15) in Cagnes-sur-Mer because the conditions were not to his advantage. The track was also quite fast, while he prefers heavy terrain. We hired him in Pau so that he could find difficult ground. He crashed in his only test here in 2021, but I don’t see why he wouldn’t adapt to this racetrack. He is fit and can play a good role. »
16 – OBEY HURRICK
This resident of Nicolas Devilder showed his form on the Mortemart hill and seems very well placed in weight in this event. Even if he has gleaned his best titles on shorter courses, he has the means to join the fight for the first places.
Nicolas Devilder, trainer:
“Hurrick des Obeaux (16) was ill at the start of the season and it took us a little time to understand what was wrong. Everything is back to normal and his last two outings in the handicaps are good. He is in great shape and I think he has the means to take a place. The only problem is that the distance could prove to be a little long for his abilities. »
Press favorites
SUMMARY 4 – 12 – 5 – 8 – 2 – 13 – 1 – 11
Today’s stats
Our prediction shows
3 mn PRONOS you 08/01
(Available Tuesday January 7, 2025, from 5:55 p.m.)
WINNING TICKET from 08/01
(Available Tuesday January 7, 2025, from 6:00 p.m.)
