Prix Renaud du Vivier

(Grade 1)

THERE was a distinct British and Irish flavour to last Sunday’s racing at Auteuil. The Prix Renaud du Vivier, the last Grade 1 jumping event of the season, went in a spectacular fashion to the filly De Bon Coeur, in the hands of James Reveley. Later in the afternoon, Peter Carberry partnered Docteur De Ballon to an even more impressive victory in the Listed Prix General Donnio. It should also be mentioned that Francois Nicolle was responsible for the winner of both graded events and one other race at the meeting.

De Bon Coeur was winning her second Grade 1 contest as she took the Prix Cambaceres just over a year ago. The Renaud du Vivier, a race for four-year-olds only, should have been a hat-trick at this level as she was unlucky to fall at the second last when having the Prix Alain du Breil at her mercy last June. Her jumping was a little clumsy again on Sunday but so superior was her class, her 10 rivals were left toiling in the straight. After jumping the last, the daughter of Vision D’Etat drew clear by 10 lengths from outsiders Pop Art Du Berlais and D’Vina.

Reveley jumped off De Bon Coeur and immediately said: “The best I’ve ever sat on.” That is some compliment from the current champion jump jockey who has won the last two runnings of the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris with So French. Nicolle’s nerves were a little frayed during the race. He said: “De Bon Coeur ran a little free early on and James wanted to restrain her. She took control eventually and was the best on the day. She is exceptional. She will stay hurdling next year.”

Nicolle may have a conundrum next season as De Bon Couer will likely cross paths with stablemate Alex De Larredya. De Bon Coeur is unbeaten in the eight races she has finished. Her sire captured the 2008 Prix du Jockey Club and the following year’s Prince of Wales’s Stakes and the Hong Kong Cup.

CARBERRYS COMBINE

Docteur De Ballon, a five-year-old gelding by Doctor Dino, gave Carberry and his sister-in-law Louisa their 12th victory of the season and did so in really impressive fashion. The son of Doctor Dino crossed the line no less than 18 lengths clear of the runner-up in the two-mile, six-furlong General Donnio so connections are well entitled to dream about events like the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris (over a mile farther).

Louisa’s husband Philip won the famous chase in 2006 and 2008 on Princesse d’Anjou so there is a family tradition to follow. Docteur De Ballon was landing a hat-trick after picking up chases at Bordeaux and most recently at Auteuil. His trainer commented: “It’s for horses like him that we rise at six in the morning every day. I hope he turns out to be a horse for the Grand Steeple-Chase. He has a powerful engine, is easy to ride and stays really well.” Louisa Carberry’s winnings so far this season have reached nearly €357,000 and her brother-in-law Peter’s slightly less.