L'Autonomie blows Grand Course field apart as Ronald Pump finishes fifth

L'Autonomie has been clear at the head of France's hurdlers for two seasons in terms of talent but it took until this Grand Course de Haies for the mare to put it all together on the day that mattered most.

Countless hours put in by Francois Nicolle and his team in order to curb her more tearaway tendencies, while still preserving her essential brilliance, paid off in spectacular style as she ran out a 30-length winner of France's version of the Champion Hurdle.

Irish challenger Ronald Pump ran on through beaten horses to be fifth for Robbie Power having never really travelled, but for the vast majority of the 3m1½f trip, this was a match between Morgan Regairaz on thorough stayer Galop Marin, and Angelo Zuliani aboard L'Autonomie.

Zuliani made his move turning out of the back straight for the final time and turned the finish into a procession, all doubts about her stamina swept away.

"She was really incredible there because that was a race where no quarter was given and where they went a good pace throughout," said Nicolle. "Galop Marin is a very good horse and he did his share of the work. The mare was going really easily on the final turn and I was a bit worried about her getting there too soon but she is a great champion."

Nicolle added: "I don't mind if I don't win another race all year, she has done what I knew she could. Angelo rode a great race."

Galop Marin paid for his efforts late on and was passed by 2020 winner Paul's Saga as well as Gex in the colours of Lord Daresbury, repaying the gamble connections had taken in running the five-year-old.

Power certainly earned his riding fee in persisting aboard Ronald Pump, who had endured a marathon trip from Matthew Smith's yard in County Meath via the direct ferry route from Ireland to France.

"I was flat to the boards all the way and he's just stayed on through beaten horses," said Power. "He's paid for his expenses so it was worth the trip but he was never travelling from the word go. It's his second run back off a layoff and the long trip as well might have taken its toll."

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