JUMPS racing at Auteuil last weekend was totally domestic but the racing was of the highest quality.

Three of the graded race winners were members of the half-bred which has been so successful in major events on both sides of the channel. Guillaume Macaire landed four of the races and the current French champion jump jockey, James Reveley, visited the winner’s circle on three occasions last Sunday. But for a fall in the big chase, Reveley would have had a memorable afternoon. Both Grade 1 events were picked up by Francois Nicolle.

Macaire’s fine weekend started on Saturday when he saddled the 5/1 favourite Whetstone (Saint Des Saints) to win his first graded race contest in the Prix Bournosienne hurdle in the hands of Bertrand Lestrade. The three-year-old was landing his fourth race in a row and is a must to follow in 2018.

Later in the afternoon Echiquier Royal (Martaline) lifted the Grade 3 Prix Congress Chase for Dominique Bressou.

EPIC BATTLE

The main event on the Saturday was the Grade 1 Grand Prix d’Automne and this went to the Nicolle-trained Alex De Larredya after an epic battle with his old rival Device (Macaire and Reveley). After a desperate run to the line, the winning distance was a short-neck after a trip of three miles.

Alex De Larredya (Gaeten Masure) was landing back to back victories in the Grand Prix Hurdle and winning for the first time since this race a year ago. He was meeting Device for the sixth time and their battle after the last was something to cherish.

Nicolle said: “Everything was in his favour today. The ground, the distance and the rhythm of the race. We won’t be going to Ascot [Long Walk hurdle] again this year as it took some time for him to recover after the trip. That’s it for this season. I must talk with the owners and don’t feel at seven he’s worn out. The older he gets, the better he gets!”

Being a five-year-old, Device was in receipt of 2kg (4 1/2lb). It was his first attempt over three miles and the son of Poligote lost nothing in defeat. He has yet to win a Grade 1 event but that is sure to come in 2018 when his winning total of 15 is sure to be enhanced.

MAGIC FOR MACAIRE

Macaire and Reveley had their first success at the highest level last Sunday when Mister Dino (Doctor Dino) ran on too strongly for his stablemate Tunis in the Prix Cambaceres three-year-old hurdle.

The winning distance was a short-neck and after his third success in the race, Macaire commented: “It’s difficult to satisfy everybody as the second always dreams about being the first. Mister Dino always gives his best and the strong pace suited.”

The same team was back in the winner’s enclosure after the Grade 1 Prix Maurice Gillois four-year-old chase. Once again, the stable favourite was defeated by a Reveley-ridden contender and on this occasion he was on board On The Go who stayed on gallantly to defeat the odds-on favourite Edward d’Argent by a neck.

It had been nearly 18 months since the last success of On The Go and he was taking revenge over Edward d’Argent. “We’ve had to be very patient with On The Go as he’s had health problems which even the vet didn’t always understand. This was his first victory in a chase which So French won before landing the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris.”

Milord Thomas was going for a fourth consecutive win in the famous chase which the legendary Al Capone II landed seven times in the 1990s. But it was not to be Milord Thomas’ day and the improving grey Bipolaire ran on too strongly after the last to win by four and a half lengths, with the favourite Perfect Impulse a well-beaten third. So French who fell at the 16th when going well in the Grade 1 Prix La Haye Jousselin, was later found to have bled and was taken to nearby Maisons-Laffitte to recuperate. A six-year-old son of Fragrant Mix, Bipolaire ran fifth to So French when he won his second Grand Steeple-Chase back in May but has not been defeated since. After winning the big race on both days at the jumping festival, Nicolle could not believe his luck. He said: “Bipolaire was at the top of his game today and he is progressing all the time. He showed a magnificent turn of foot and is a lovely horse in every way.” Guillaume Macaire went on to land a four-timer at Fontainebleau last Monday. He is now on the 246 mark and possibly on course to break his own record of 282 winners in a season set up in 2015. He has amassed €7.6 million so far.