Bioplaire the hat-trick hero as Russell has to settle for third on Carriacou

Prix La Haye Jousselin (Grade 1 Chase) 5yo+ | 3m3½f

It was billed as a match between hat-trick seeking Bipolaire and his Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris conqueror but, despite being smuggled into the race by Davy Russell, there was to be no follow-up success for Carriacou.

After allowing a group of three to get a slight break on him down the back straight, Russell moved Carriacou into a challenging position turning for home but could only plug on for third, as Bipolaire held the persistent challenge of Ebonite.

"The ground could have caught him out but he ran a credible race and these are good horses," said Russell. "He's trained by a very good trainer and it's a pleasure to ride him."

Davy Russell debriefs Isabelle Pacault (right) after finishing third aboard Carriacou in the Prix La Haye Jousselin at AuteuilCredit: Racing Post / Scott Burton

While he has been out of luck in the Grand Steeple-Chase, Bipolaire has won this end-of-year highlight under three different jockeys, with Gaetan Masure the latest to enjoy the thrill.

"His preparation has been ideal and I think the prep run over hurdles meant he had a bit more of a finishing kick after the last," said Nicolle. "He has three of these now and all that is missing is the Grand Steeple so we'll have to win that next year."

Five-year-old mare Ebonite ran a race full of promise for the future under a patient Felix de Giles, only giving way to the winner in the final hundred yards.

"She is so generous and when you feel there's nothing left in the tank, you know she's really tired," said de Giles. "The most important thing was to give her a good experience today and I think she's run well above everyone's expectations."

Prix Maurice Gillois (Grade 1 Chase) 4yo | 2m6f

Forty minutes earlier Nicolle had celebrated a first win in the day's other Grade 1 chasing prize as Figuero ran right away from his rivals on the home turn to lay down a big marker for next year's Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris.

In doing so he gave jockey Angelo Zuliani a first top-level success.

Angelo Zuliani and Francois Nicolle (wearing the hat) on the podium after Figuero had demolished his rivals in the Prix Maurice GilloisCredit: Racing Post / Scott Burton

"If you make a mistake in this ground it is extremely costly but he was flawless at his obstacles and he is a real aeroplane," said Nicolle. "I don't like running five-year-olds in the Grand Steeple-Chase but he could go that way and I promise you there is more to come from him."

Prix Cambaceres (Grade 1 Hurdle) 3yo | 2m2f

Nirvana Du Berlais secured a second three-year-old hurdling crown in as many years for the trainer/jockey combination of Arnaud Chaille-Chaille and Pierre Dubourg, following on from the success of Beaumec De Houelle 12 months ago.

His task was perhaps eased when favourite Sangennaro reached for the first hurdle and made a serious error but there was no doubting the superiority of Nirvana Du Berlais, who had finished behind three of these rivals in the Prix Georges de Talhouet-Roy on his previous start.

"He is a horse that needs plenty of work and who needs racing as well," said Chaille-Chaille, who was winning this race for a fourth time.

"And probably this really heavy ground is to his liking as well. I think he's won pretty easily there. He is an entire but I think he has a big career ahead of him before becoming a stallion."

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