PRIX LA HAYE JOUSSELIN

(GRADE 1)

LATER in the afternoon, the favourite Milord Thomas (Kapgarde) ran on gamely to land a hat trick in the Grade 1 Prix La Haye Jousselin, which Jacques Ricou was winning for the fourth time.

The seven-year-old was always close to the pace early on and led for some time and when jumping the last. He lost the advantage a little later but rallied and finally beat the brave Alary by half a length with Storm of Saints back in third place. Dominique Bressou trains Milord Thomas for the American Magalen Bryant, who has been such a great admirer and supporter of French jumping for many years. He said: “The horse lost the lead after the last and then retook it. He is a great warrior and has a strong mentality.”

Milord Thomas won the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris last year and was fourth in the same race last May to So French who was a distant fourth in the Haye Jousselin. To date he has run on 33 occasions, won 12 races and been placed in 18 others while amassing over €2 million in prize money.