'He's Mr Consistency' - Ronald Pump goes for big one in French Champion Hurdle

4.00 Auteuil
Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil (Grade 1) | 3m1½f | 5yo+ | Sky

Over the last decade the French Champion Hurdle has become something of a British and Irish benefit, with Willie Mullins (three times), David Pipe, Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson landing the prestigious prize.

Ronald Pump bids to continue that theme but this year's race looks more likely to be a battle between the best two mares in France, Paul's Saga and L'Autonomie.

Mares have dominated the hurdling scene of late with Epatante and Honeysuckle winning the last two Champion Hurdles, while Paul's Saga got the better of L'Autonomie in last year's running of this race – although that was run in October due to Covid-19.

The race may have returned to its usual slot, but the biblical rain that has put Saturday's Irish 2,000 Guineas in doubt has not missed France and proper winter ground is expected with conditions described as very soft and the clerk of the course predicting it will ride holding.

Despite Paul's Saga being the reigning champion, L'Autonomie is arguably the one to beat based on her eight-length defeat of that rival, in receipt of 4lb, in the Grade 2 Prix Leon Rambaud last month.

Francois Nicolle, trainer of L’Autonomie, said: "The mare is in great shape but it is far from a one-horse race. There is David’s mare [Paul’s Saga], there is Galop Marin, who I love because he is so consistent. He always runs all the way to the line, which is the sign of a top-notcher. Then there is the Irish horse [Ronald Pump] who we don’t really know.

"I’m not worried about the ground or the distance. It’s more a case of how she feels during the race. She is a mare you must not fight, you have to trust her and then she is much easier to ride. I loved her performance in the Prix Leon Rambaud, where she was relaxed and settled and then flew at the end. That’s what she needs to do to win the Grand Course."

L'Autonomie and Angelo Zuliani head into the Auteuil winner's enclosure ahead of Paul's Saga after the Prix Leon RambaudCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

David Cottin, trainer of Paul’s Saga, said: "She disappointed two starts ago but she was in season then and I was delighted with her last run. We took the cheekpieces off then so she could gain the benefit of having them reapplied for the Grade 1. She stuck to her task well at the end in the Leon Rambaud. L’Autonomie is a champion and, while it looks tough, we proved last year she is beatable."

Cottin also saddles Resplendor and added: "Resplendor is in great form and is a horse I like a lot. We’re trying the Grade 1 with him and he has the class for it. He needs good ground and he’ll also need to relax like he did at Compiegne."

Robbie Power rides the Matthew Smith-trained Ronald Pump and said: "I have ridden in France a few times before and placed in some of the big races out there but I've yet to win one. I'm looking forward to riding Ronald Pump and he seems to be in very good form.

"He ran a cracker at Punchestown on his first run since finishing second to Honeysuckle in the Hatton's Grace so, fingers crossed, he can be very competitive. There's serious prize-money in France and we'd be hopeful he can take home plenty of it.

"He has been Mr Consistency for the past couple of years. He finished second in the Stayers' Hurdle last year – unfortunately he missed it this year – and his last two runs look very good in the context of this race. Hopefully he can improve a bit on his Punchestown run given he came into that race off the back of a break."

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