View from France: Jason Kiely previews Sunday's action from Auteuil

After what can only be described as a shock result with 1/4 favourite L’Autonomie turned over in the French Champion Hurdle yesterday afternoon at Auteuil, attentions turn to the larger obstacles as the €570,000 Grand Steeple Chase de Paris (15.25) is the highlight from the Parisian track this afternoon.

A huge 10 races are offered across the card, totalling over €1 million in prize-money and here are some of the potential highlights.

Will Bipolaire finally get his day?

Trainer François Nicolle will have left Auteuil in quite sombre form after watching his stable star L’Autonomie get defeated after nine straight successes but the Royan-based maestro will have little time to ponder as he once again saddles the big-race favourite this afternoon, Bipolaire in the Group One Grand Steeple Chase de Paris.

At nine years of age, glorious grey Bipolaire is the veteran of the eleven strong field and although he is priced-up as a short-price favourite, he may fall foul to some younger rivals.

A three-times Group One winner at Auteuil and perfectly comfortable with today’s distance of 6,000m, Bipolaire has not been seen over fences since November 2019, when taking a famous third consecutive success in the Prix Haye Jousselin. Since that success Bipolaire has had three runs over hurdles(finishing third in each) and should be in perfect condition for this afternoons race having had a ‘pipe-opener’ in September.

The Grand Steeple Chase de Paris is traditionally run in late spring but due to COVID was switched to the autumn programme. Bipolaire has had three unsuccessful efforts in the race with his record standing at 2F5 and will need to reverse the form with 2019 winner Carriacou if he is to take the spoils this afternoon.

Young guns can get involved

Five-year-olds have quite a strong recent record in the Grand Steeple Chase de Paris and both Figuero and Feu Follet fall into the age bracket.

Like Bipolaire, Figuero is trained by Francois Nicolle and comes into the race as the main threat to his stablemate. The son of Yeats has been building up a solid profile around the chase course at Auteuil and has won four of his last five starts at the track. The 6,000m trip is an unknown for the gelding and he has never gone beyond 4,400m. Although he has shown plenty of class in his short career, there may still be a doubt over his toughness. Has he had enough experience in these top races? Only time will tell but stable jockey Angelo Zuliani has chosen to ride Figuero, a good sign.

Feu Follet comes from the rival Guillaume Macaire camp and although he has been slightly out of form in his most recent starts, he was touted to be a future ‘Grand Steeple’ winner when taking the Group One Prix Alain Du Breil in 2019.

In a similar situation to Figuero, Feu Follet takes a huge step up in trip here but has always looked like a longer trip would be an advantage and he may be the first of the ‘Macaire’ runners home, with stablemate and 2018 winner On The Go not in the most inspiring form recently.

Keep an eye on Heros

Western-based trainer Gabriel Leenders has never hidden his affection for rising star Heros d’Ainey and not only is the three-year-old favourite for this afternoons Group Two Racing TV Prix Georges Talhouet-Roy (14.45), he also holds a prominent place towards the head of the market for next year's Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The son of Sholokhov became the talking horse of France when demolishing his rivals when taking a Listed race at Auteuil on his debut in May.

Although that is the geldings only performance to date, connections have always spied this race as a starting stone to a classy campaign which could culminate with an appearance at Cheltenham in March.

With stable jockey Clement Lefebvre stood down half way though racing yesterday afternoon(due to a fall in the third), it remains to be seen if the rider turns up on course this afternoon and may have to be replaced by another rider, but only time will tell.

If Heros d’Ainey produces a similar performance to when winning on debut then he should have no problem over turning his five rivals here. That day he travelled with extreme ease and jumped impeccably before going on to score by twelve lengths on the bridle. The form from that race has stood-up firmly and only last weekend I’m Walkin (second behind Heros d’Ainey) took a Listed chase by six lengths. Heros d’Ainey could be one of the most exciting horses in the juvenile hurdling ranks in France this season.