Gran Diose out to complete historic 'double-double' for Grand Steeple-Chase specialist Louisa Carberry

Winning the biggest prize more than once in any discipline is the sort of achievement reserved for a rare few, and Louisa Carberry will attempt to put her face on French jump racing's version of Mount Rushmore as defending champion Gran Diose bids to become the tenth horse to win multiple runnings of the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris since the second world war. 

Having also sent out Docteur De Ballon in 2020 and 2021, Carberry would become the only trainer in this era to be responsible for more than one of those repeat Auteuil heroes, while her overall record of U111 in the race is already exceptional. 

Thirteen rivals will attempt to deny Gran Diose, with fellow nine-year-old Grandeur Nature his closest rival in terms of racecourse performances, and the supplemented Sel Jem, who will be making just his fourth start since winning the race in 2022, both guaranteed to be staying on when plenty of others have cried enough over the 3m6f. 

Lord Daresbury (left) talks to trainer Emmanuel Clayeux after Kolokico lands the Prix Ferdinand DufaureCredit: Racing Post/Burton

Five year-olds were historically believed to be at disadvantage in this race but four have won in the last decade and the James Reveley-ridden Kolokico has long shaped as if he needs a trip, and attempts to give Emmanuel Clayeux and Lord Daresbury a first win in the race. 

Also yet to taste success is Francois Nicolle, who saddles Prix Murat winner Goliath Du Rheu, as well as Diamond Carl, who has been in the first three on all but one of his eight Graded starts around the Auteuil chase track.

Gran Diose: 'It was a bonus he was able to win his prep so easily' 

Winning his warm-up has not been a habit Gran Diose has enjoyed until now, but there was no mistaking his class when pulling away from Toscana Du Berlais and Diamond Carl when giving weight away all round in the final prep of the spring in the Prix Ingre.

"When your trial is six weeks away, there’s a bit more wriggle room, but we had to push his prep back and that was the worry. All he had to do was give him an overreach or a bang, get a hard race and then you don’t have time to build up to the big day. 

Gran Diose is 9lb clear of his nearest rivals on official ratingsCredit: Racing Post /Burton

"As he was late starting he really had to stick to the programme at every point; to come out every day and show he wanted more. He didn’t have one day to lose. The horse is well and he jumped well, while his confidence is high. 

Carberry added: "He didn’t have to win his prep, so it’s a bonus he was able to do it easily."

What they say

Hugo Merienne, trainer of In Love and Incollable
Incollable had tendon issues and was off a long time, so to be running at this level is already a victory. He’s come forward with each run and we’ve built him a programme to get to this point. In Love had a busy campaign last year and we know both the quality and the stamina is there. He maybe lacks a little bit of elan and we didn’t want to bottom him in the prep races and instead gave him a couple of runs over hurdles. He doesn’t make jumping errors as such, but he can be a bit deliberate, so running over hurdles will hopefully have sharpened him up.

Hugo Merienne saddles In Love and Incollable in the Grand Steeple-ChaseCredit: Racing Post/Burton

Alain Couetil, trainer of Doctor Kaleo
He was already entered in the Grand Steeple-Chase before he won the Prix du President de la Republique. He’ll find it easy to watch on at the pace they go and I hope they don’t water too heavily. The horse is really well. I think he should be in the first four and he’s been aimed at the race, it’s not an afterthought.

Francois Nicolle, trainer of Goliath Du Rheu and Diamond Carl
Diamond Carl knows Auteuil by heart. He’s a good jumper but his comeback was a bit below what you might expect. It’s a bold move by the Papot Family to run him off the back of just one run, but he’s very effective over the course and Betrand Lestrade knows him very well. He didn’t jump as well as he can last time but he had a slight back problem that we’ve rectified and he’s in good form now. Goliath Du Rheu has had just about the perfect preparation, winning a hurdle race and a chase. He was a crack four-year-old, so we’re giving it a go. I think he’s very good. It’s the first time he’s tackled the trip and that’s the big unknown. Neither is among the favourites but we’re going there very happy with them and I don’t feel any pressure.

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