IT would be a surprise if Vezelay was not in the line up for the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris at Auteuil next May judging by the way he captured the Grade 2 Prix Georges Courtois.

Ridden by the experienced Jacques Ricou, the five-year-old son of Dom Alco dominated the situation on the flat after jumping the last. He was winning his fourth race on the trot at Auteuil and apart from one fall, the gelding has never been out of the first four in 16 races. Emmanuel Clayeux has been wrapping Vezelay up in cotton wool a little and only now has he been given the chance to show his qualities in top events.

He said after the horse’s first Grade success: “Today was a test to see what he might be able to do in 2015. He came into the race a fresh horse and handled the big jumps with ease at the first time of asking.”

Although he died in November 2010, Dom Alco sired Neptunes Collonges to win the John Smith’s Grand National in 2012 and after he was immediately retired from racing.

Although James Reveley did not win a race at Auteuil last Sunday, he is having a magnificent season in France where he rides for several top stables. The Englishman is currently 10th in the jockeys’ table with 39 victories and he has a strike rate of 31%. So far this year, Reveley has totted up €960,760 and he is also winning many races back on the other side of the Channel.

Dab hand with fillies

ALAIN de Royer-Dupré has always had a dab hand with fillies. He has already stated that Parade Music will be a major player in his stable next year and now Vedouma (Dalakhani) has been added to this list of potential classic contenders. She ends 2014 without tasting defeat in two races and was awesome when landing the Listed Prix Isonomy by six lengths at Chantilly last Tuesday.