Plouganou returns to the limelight after 'long road' as Bipolaire prevails

2.50 Auteuil
Prix la Haye Jousselin (Grade 1 Chase) | 5yo+ | 3m3½f

Bipolaire wiped out the nightmare of a first-fence mishap in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris when outstaying Saint Goustan Blue to win the Grade 1 Prix la Haye Jousselin for the second year running, though a first under jockey Jonathan Plouganou.

Baie Des Iles ran a promising race once for a long way over the big fences for County Kildare trainer Ross O'Sullivan, but lack of a recent run told late on at Auteuil on Sunday, as the seven-year-old was unable to repeat her heroics from the Prix des Drags in June and ultimately finished last of seven.

"We had her as fit as we could without getting a run, or even much galloping on turf, into her because the ground has been so hard at home," said O'Sullivan.

"This is her track and we'll aim to come here for the May [Grand Steeple-Chase] and June [Prix des Drags] meetings, and before that she could be suited by the Thyestes Chase and Irish Grand National."

Champion jockey in 2013, Plouganou has fought back from a series of serious injuries – as well as a six-month suspension for providing a false urine sample – and was recording his first success in one of French jump racing's nine Grade 1 events.

"I had the impression I was going to win throughout the race and it is riding horses like this that you do just for pleasure," said Plouganou.

"It's something of a liberation to win a Grade 1, and it's why I've struggled every day to get back to the top level and to ride in races like this.

"The road has been a long one but I've got my reward today. I hope I can continue for plenty of time to come."

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