Auteuil Sunday preview: Bapaume bouncing


Jason Kiely previews Sunday's card at Auteuil where Willie Mullins will attempt to plunder more Euros with Bapaume and others.

By Jason Kiely

Mullins bids to make history in Paris

The Group 2 Prix de Barka at Auteuil has become somewhat of a tourists day out with horses hailing from the British Isles taking the spoils since lovable grey Thousand Stars's victory back in 2012.

He was ridden by Paul Townend for trainer Willie Mullins, who since then has landed this €145k prize four times thus equalling the record of five wins for a trainer in one of French jumping's most prestigious prizes.

On his quest to gain the record outright Mullins will once again saddle five runners in the 72nd running of the 3,900m contest on Sunday, much like he did when Benie Des Dieux landed the Group 1 “Grande Course des Haies” at this venue only three weeks ago.

2018 Prix de Barka winner Bapaume will again be the main representative for Mullins and will, like last year, be partnered by Paul Townend.

The six-year-old son of Turtle Bowl was a very strong fourth in last month's ‘French Champion Hurdle’ and is in good health according to trainer's son Patrick Mullins.

"He has come back from the last day well, he ran a solid race like he always does," Patrick said. "He loves this intermediate trip around here so hopefully he will run well, although the fact he has to carry a penalty will make life difficult."

Mr. Adjudicator, arguably unlucky not to finish closer in the Grande Course de Haies, is also in the line-up for Mullins and will this time be partnered by three-time French champion jumps jockey Bertrand Lestrade.

Mullins junior was also keen on his chances.

"I think he would have finished closer the last day if he didn’t run into some trouble at the end of the back straight.

"He seems to have taken his first experience of Auteuil well and learned a bit, I really wouldn’t be surprised to seem him run a strong race. We have Bertrand on board on recommendation this weekend and there is a lot of positive vibes."

Mullins' three other runners in the nine-strong field are Grade One winner Quick Grabim and the only two mares in the race Pravalaguna and the five year old Stormy Ireland, who ran a very creditable third at this meeting last year behind the Grade 1 winning Guillaume Macaire-trained pair of Master Dino and Tunis.

Much hyped dual Group 1 winner Blue Dragon will carry the hopes of the French in the Barka on his third start for his new young trainer David Cottin.

Once the horse's regular partner, the former French champion jockey explains that training him is not quite as simple.

"Blue Dragon has come back from a long layoff (pulled up injured June 2017) and we have tried to work patiently with him. When he won in Auteuil in April it was always the plan to come to the Barka with him."

Speaking on the opposition Lamorlaye based Cottin was wary of the Irish challenge.

"Of course you have to worry about the Mullins horses but officially my horse is the best, it remains to be seen if he still retains all his old ability but he is ready and well."

Jonathon Plouganou will take the ride on the eight-year-old son of Califet a partnership that has already has success.

A new horizon for J P McManus

French training legend Guillaume Macaire has seen countless champions pass through his hands at his Royan based academy, some of which have sported famous silks.

This Sunday's Prix Aguado marks the beginning of a new but somewhat long awaited partnership as the green and gold colours of J P McManus will be carried by a “Macaire” horse for the first time.

Hipsters, a three-year-old son of Poliglote was purchased privately shortly after dominating the Prix Go Ahead in Auteuil on his second start. That victory saw him get the better of stablemate For Fun but their trainer is undecided if it will be the same result as the two take each other on again in Sunday's Group 3, this time over 3500m.

"They are both very good horses and there is not a lot between them," he said.

"I really can’t say which way it will go, For Fun has more experience in battle but was beaten by Hipsters last time out. We will have to wait and see."

Speaking on having a McManus horse under his care, the Royannais maestro was a touch nostalgic as he explained how the deal came about.

"The horse has been sold but he will stay here in France for at least his 3 and 4 year old career, the very same deal that was done with the great Long Run.

"It’s a deal that works both ways as we get the horse to keep as the fixture list is very good for him and in return the horse auto finances himself through the prize money won.

"It is entirely possible that he will travel abroad for us but for the moment let's concentrate on Sunday. He is not the same as Long Run in that Hipsters is more of a hurdler for the moment. He has lovely natural athleticism and a great presence, and it is nice to have these famous silks in the yard."

Won for the first time by an Irish-trained horse in 2018 the Group 2 Prix des Drags has attracted a few overseas runners again this year.

Last year’s vainqueur was Baie Des Iles, a French bred daughter of Barastraight trained by Ross O’Sullivan in the colours of Zorka Wentworth. Urged home by Paul Townend for a length and a quarter victory last year, it will be the turn of Sean Flanagan who will also be having his first mount in France.

Although based in France, it could be an Irish winner this year for the Carberrys who saddle both Doctor De Ballon and Celebre D’Allen in a race that Phillip Carberry won with Pibrac in 2013.

Trainer Louisa Carberry is just hoping for better luck this time after well punted Doctor De Ballon unfortunately exiting this years Grand Steeple Chase de Paris when going well at the open ditch.

"Doctor has come home well," she said.

"We have taken things as normal with him, he seems happy so we are going to take our chance. I am just hoping for a clear run and a bit more luck this time, the horse deserves it. We also run Celebre D’Allen who has some pretty encouraging form and this race should suit."

Considered by many as the consolation race for last month’s Grand Steeple Chase de Paris, the Prix Des Drags run over 4,400m has quite a strong French representation this year with nine of the twelve declared runners coming from France.

Mullins' pair Total Recall, who was eighth here last month, and Isleofhopesanddreams are the two other Irish runners.

Footpad, Blue Dragon, Hurricane Fly, J’y Vole and Kauto Star are all past winners of the Prix Questarabad, a Group 3 over hurdles restricted to four year old’s.

Therefore it is worth noting that Mullins chooses just French Made as his only runner in this contest. Third in Auteuil last month to similar opposition, the daughter of Dream Well could etch her name on this illustrious role of honour for her owner Margaret McManus.


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