Key trainer quotes and analysis for a fiendish Clairefontaine handicap hurdle

Prix Trinidad (handicap hurdle) | 2m2f | 4-5yo fillies & mares | SKY

There is not too much similarity between trappy Clairefontaine and the wide galloping expanses of Auteuil but with €80,000 to be distributed, that hasn't stopped a highly competitive field of 16 lining up at the replacement venue.

Jugeotte and Alna Top both showed their wellbeing when filling the minor places behind Defi Majeur over 2m5½f at Auteuil 13 days ago

Jugeotte was being stepped up in trip by Richard Chotard that day. Now back down in distance and with the assistance of James Reveley, she will be popular in the pari-mutuel market, though she is clearly one of the more exposed mares going to post.

A day earlier at Auteuil, Katy Love looked in need of the run when trailing home ninth in a good conditions race, while Heaven's Night showed much more relish in a close-up sixth.

The strapping Lee D'Anjou has been supplemented by Patrice Lenogue having finished in the money three times either side of the lockdown, including when third in a handicap chase at Auteuil a fortnight ago.

Via Maresca has progressed well in only seven career starts for Marcel Rolland and scored here last September.

She proved unequal to the task when pitched in against the talented Lou Buck's at Compiegne on heavy ground in March but made no mistake when winning by ten lengths back at the same venue on resumption day earlier this month.

The Francois Nicolle-trained Sawsan Senora was pulled up on her reappearance at La Teste but showed a liking for Clairefontaine - albeit over fences - with a win and a second-placed effort last July.

What the trainers say

Patrice Quinton, trainer of Katy Love
The filly ran very badly at Auteuil last time and I can't put my finger on why. She is really well and I don't see a problem with her in a big handicap field like this.

Marcel Rolland, trainer of Via Maresca
She did it well at Compiegne and I think she is improving. She has gone up 3kg (7lb) but despite that I think she can be there at the finish.

Mickael Seror, trainer of Heaven's Night, Ludella and Pretendante
Heaven's Night is in very good form. She fell at Auteuil last year when going very well in a big handicap and I wasn't able to work her as much in the mornings for a while. Even so she ran well several times after that but, since the turn of the year, I really feel she has got a lot stronger. I don't think she has finished improving yet. Pretendante ran badly the other day and I have no explanation other than perhaps the [quite fast] ground. She doesn't show a lot in the mornings but I loved her first three runs and you just have to throw the Auteuil race out. Ludella needs to learn to settle better in her races and I'm sure she will improve with racing. I think she is well handicapped.

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