Long-distance specialist Galop Marin lands second Grand Prix d'Automne

There are only two chances for France's senior hurdlers to gain Grade 1 honours in a year and for Galop Marin, the severe test of stamina provided by Auteuil in November is the perfect recipe.

With Morgan Regairaz employing the same positive tactics which brought success in this race 12 months ago, Galop Marin was attended throughout by another confirmed front-runner in Blue Dragon.

But when that rival made a hash of the third last it was left to Galop Marin to power home, with Paul's Saga staying on best of the rest in second.

Last year's winner has only succeeded once in six attempts during 2019, with a combination of shorter trips, his Grade 1 penalty and poor stable form during the first half of the year all conspiring against him.

"He loves this ground and he is not really a horse for 3,600 metres [2m2f] or 4,000m [2m4f], they don't show his class," said trainer Dominique Bressou. "I was pleased to see Blue Dragon up there with him, it helped him concentrate. Morgan could feel he was in top form and when he's like that it's easy."

Nick Williams was rewarded on his latest French adventure with a fourth-place for Agrapart under a patient ride from Felix de Giles.

"I thought it was a good performance," said Williams. "I thought he was working his way into it but he didn't quite have the impetus to get there. The Prix Leon Olry-Roederer back here in a couple of weeks could be on the agenda."

Earlier in the day de Giles was in the Auteuil winners' enclosure as Want Of A Nail proved herself the best three-year-old filly over hurdles in the Grade 2 Haras d'Etreham Prix Bournosienne.

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