Le Berry strikes at Grade 1 level for first time with Maurice Gillois triumph

Le Berry produced a sparkling performance to run away from what looked a deep field to secure his first success at Grade 1 level in the Prix Maurice Gillois.

In doing so he capped another fine day for trainer David Cottin, some of whose greatest days at Auteuil as a jockey came on Gemix, the sire of Le Berry.

Kevin Nabet took the advantage from the start and set a decent pace on the near-white Le Berry, far from the biggest in the field of seven but blessed with an elastic bound at his fences.

Four horses appeared to have every chance running to the last but Le Berry sprinted away for an eight-length defeat of Galleo Conti, with Magrudy and Gardons Le Sourire trailing.

"He is really learning and gaining experience now and has a good mind on him, even though he has a bit of temperament before a race," said Nabet, who also teamed up with Cottin to score in the Grade 3 Prix Camarthen with Paul's Saga.

"Once you're under way he's like a pony and is completely wrapped in his own world. You really feel like you're on a cloud."

Since 2013, Milord Thomas, So French and On The Go have all gone on from this climax to the season for four-year-old chasers to win the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris.

Earlier on the card, jockey Thomas Coutant earned his first Grade 1 success as Theleme landed the Prix Cambaceres for three-year-old hurdlers in the colours of British-based owner Jim Gordon.

Theleme has an unusual profile in that he is was making only his third start over hurdles.

The son of Australian sprinter Sidestep won on the Flat for Damien de Watrigant before being bought to join trainer Arnaud Chaille-Chaille.

Results, replays and analysis

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