French Preview: Williams can Reve it up with Aubusson

Ironically, this Saturday’s Grand Prix d’Automne (2.50pm GMT), a Grade 1 hurdle run over three miles at Auteuil, falls just as the weather in Britain has turned from distinctly autumnal to positively wintry. Gloves and a hat (and possibly an umbrella) are the required garb for anyone attending the Parisian venue this weekend, however fans of British jumps racing will be warmed by the persistent pillaging of this valuable (£122,426 to the winner) staple of the French racing calendar. This year there are three English candidates.

It’s unlikely that 2013 Grand Prix d’Automne winner Reve de Sivola will match the feat of triple winners Evohé (1934, 1936, 1937) or Mon Romain (1997-1999), given that he is already 11, though advancing years didn’t stop Thousand Stars who won the race 12 months ago at that same age. Reve de Sivola has been a regular visitor to France over the years (five runs at Auteuil) and was sixth in this race last year, as well as seventh the year before. Nick Williams’ old guard – a three-time Long Walk Hurdle winner - hasn’t been seen since winning at Haydock in February, where he was quickly bouncing back after disappointing (again) over fences in the Peter Marsh Chase at the same venue. Richard Johnson, Daryl Jacob and James Reveley have generally shared the rides on him over the years, however the first two stay in the UK this year, while Reveley has a different mount today: Blue Dragon. More on him later.

Aubusson provides a strong second string for Williams, with his daughter-in-law Lizzie Kelly retaining her long-standing partnership with last year’s runner-up. The pair came agonisingly close to a first Grade 1 victory (something that Kelly did later in the season on Tea For Two), going down by just a nose, and are respected as they attempt to go one place better here. Though Aubusson has not had a prep run this time around, his trainer clearly targets this contest and he is unlikely to want for lack of fitness. Following his excellent effort 12 months ago, Aubusson was an impressive winner of a novices’ chase at Uttoxeter, looking to have the world at his feet over fences, but he was then pulled up in the Dipper Novices' Chase at Cheltenham. He should still progress over fences, however connections decided instead to run him in the Grade 2 Barka Hurdle in May (well held fifth to Un de Sceaux) and the Grade 1 Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil Hurdle in June, both at this track. Aubusson was a ten-length fourth in the last-named event, which was won by Ptit Zig with Blue Dragon back in third.

Paul Nicholls, responsible for 2014 winner Zarkandar, trains Ptit Zig who was below form when runner-up in the Cleeve Hurdle on his only previous try over as far as three miles, and had stamina to prove upped in trip for the Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil in June. However, he ran his best race over hurdles in first-time blinkers, close to matching his high-class form as a chaser, clearly relishing a return to the course where he also won the Grade 1 Prix Renaud du Vivier in the autumn of his four-year-old season. Ptit Zig’s Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil success was the tenth of his career from 26 starts (runner-up a further six times), and, with his stable in red-hot form, he rates a major contender here.

The five-year-old Blue Dragon won his first eight completed starts at Auteuil, and it looked as if that sequence would be extended in the Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil when he was still leading on the bridle entering the straight around six lengths clear of Un de Sceaux. However he jumped left at the last, tied up soon after, and stopped quickly after being headed on the run-in. It could be that Blue Dragon found the test too much, however it’s worth noting that fellow front runner Un de Sceaux, who he duelled for the lead with throughout, faded into sixth, suggesting that David Cottin’s tactics may have been too aggressive. As mentioned previously, James Reveley takes the ride on Saturday (with Cottin currently recuperating from a fracture of his third vertebra) and more patient tactics could see an improved result; he deserves his place at the head of the betting.

Francois Nicolle’s Alex de Larredya, who was third in the Barka, split Ptit Zig and Blue Dragon in the Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil. He has held his form nicely in two starts over shorter trips since and can again run well, though much like Ptit Zig, he appeared well suited by the over-enthusiastic fractions which were set in June. Ultraji received 7 lb when beating Alex de Larredya last month (a career-best effort) and he has questions to answer now stepped up half a mile in trip. Ballotin has been mixing hurdling and chasing to good effect, but is another who tackles three miles for the first time, while fellow five-year-old Solway has plenty to find on ratings despite his listed win last time. Overall, though Blue Dragon is clear on ratings, an each-way play on last year’s runner-up Aubusson could be the most prudent play.

Recommended bet:

Back Aubusson each-way at 14/1 in Saturday’s Grand Prix d’Automne at Auteuil