Gran Diose does it again for one of jump racing's great target trainers in Louisa Carberry

At the end of a race which had attracted the best group of domestic chasers in any number of years and which appeared to turn on barely ten seconds of changing fortunes, it was once again Gran Diose and Louisa Carberry who emerged victorious. 

This Haye Jousselin had threatened to develop into a four-way fight between closely matched and talented rivals, only for Il Est Francais to be pulled up approaching the Rail Ditch and Fence, an obstacle which will have left Felix de Giles wondering what might have been as Juntos Ganamos made a shuddering error, forfeiting a huge amount of ground. 

By this stage Thomas Beaurain and Gran Diose were in a relentless rhythm, a sight all-the-more impressive when you consider regular pilot Clement Lefebvre was only ruled out at the beginning of the week. 

Beaurain's father Jean-Yves rode Al Capone to seven straight victories in this race aboard the remarkable Al Capone – a fact he will be reminded of every time he passes the horse's statue on the way to the Auteuil weighing room – and he was recording a first success at Grade 1 level. 

Emotional scenes after Gran Diose adds the Prix La Haye Jousselin to his victory in the Grand Steeple Credit: Racing Post/Burton

For Carberry it was yet another success in one of French chasing's two major prizes, a second Haye Jousselin to add to her three Grand Steeple-Chase victories, all won since October 2020. 

"It’s been a big headache because I felt everything was right," said Carberry. "Stupidly about a week ago I thought everything was done after his last piece of work on Saturday, and then Clement got injured.

"I’m devastated for him but plan B was Thomas, who had ridden him once before and showed he was capable of riding him well." 

Carberry added: "They still had to get along and Thomas had to find out what the horse wants and needs but luckily Gran Diose was so good today. I felt if they jumped the first three very well that would set the tone of the race and when that happened I knew that would give them both confidence. 

"I feel so spoiled to have had two champions like Gran Diose and Docteur De Ballon. Some trainers wait their whole lives to have one."

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