Macaire dominates as Edward D'Argent aces Grand Steep' audition

Prix Ingre (Grade 3 Chase) |5yo+ | 2m6f

In a week when Willie Mullins has lorded it over the opposition at Punchestown, Guillaume Macaire reminded the racing world that his will be a team to be reckoned with at Auteuil next month over the two-day Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris meeting.

Edward D'Argent led home a stable one-two in the final key trial for France's most prestigious jumping prize, capping a day in which Macaire took all three graded prizes as well as the Listed Prix Wild Monarch, while still finding a moment to take pleasure in watching his former inmate Top Notch score at Sandown.

How a five-year-old that has previously been among the best of their own age group goes on to fare against their elders is one of the eternal questions of an Auteuil spring and Edward D'Argent passed his latest test with zest, stalking stablemate On The Go and James Reveley before sprinting home under Kevin Nabet.

"He has already proved he is a good horse who stays well and he jumped perfectly today against the old pros so he has definitely punched his ticket for the Grand-Steep," said Macaire.

On The Go caused a surprise when beating Edward D'Argent in an age-restricted Grade 1 last November and once again pushed his claims a length and a half back in second, after what Macaire admitted had been a far from ideal preparation.

2015 Grand Steeple-Chase hero Milord Thomas was just a neck away in third, having lost valuable momentum when popping the big open ditch in the back straight rather than really attacking it.

"The rail ditch and fence cost us dear because he was a bit careful there, just at the moment the race began to unfold," said Dominique Bressou. "He lost two or three lengths there and it was hard to make that up at the finish."

Prix Amadou (Grade 2 Hurdle) |4yo | 2m3½f

Nabet also got the better of Reveley earlier in the afternoon as Tunis completed another one-two for Macaire, defeating Master Dino by two and a half lengths.

The four-year-old hurdling division remains an open affair in France but Tunis will be among the leading challengers for the Grade 1 Prix Alain de Breuil, a race won by Mullins with both Diakali and Footpad in recent seasons.

Macaire said: "He is a very efficient jumper these days whereas last year he was always lugging to his left, you couldn't ride a finish on him. He is a much easier ride now," said Macaire.

Prix Jean Stern (Grade 2 Chase) | 4yo | 2m6f

Whetstone completed the Macaire domination and looks very much the horse to beat among the four-year-old chasers, after Magalen O Bryant's daughter of Saint Des Saints made it four from four over fences.

Seven lengths was the distance back to Spanish One in second when Bertrand Lestrade looked over his shoulder, though in truth it could have been further.

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