Fogo De Chao worth siding with in Prix Alain Du Breil

King Elvis
2.45 Auteuil
1pt each-wayAcapella Bourgeois
3.25 Auteuil
1pt each-wayFogo De Chao
4.08 Auteuil
1pt each-way

While Willie Mullins has enjoyed plenty of success over the years in Saturday's Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil, Sunday's feature Grade 1 Zeturf Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris (3.25) has remained the preserve of the French. However, that could change.

Mullins has sent over a five-pronged attack this time around, which includes Grand National third Rathvinden, last year's second Pleasant Company, Irish National winner Burrows Saint and the talented but increasingly haphazard Total Recall.

It is the fifth member, Acapella Bourgeois, who makes most appeal from a betting point of view. Auteuil always provides heavily watered ground and the steady nature of the races suit those that race handily and can quicken. Acapella Bourgeois has all the attributes to make a big impression.

He did a good impersonation of a 'Grand Steep' contender when third in the Irish National last time. He took up his typical prominent position and jumped with his usual accuracy, before seeming to run out of puff late on.

Acapella Bourgeois: bold-jumping front runner should suit AuteuilCredit: Caroline Norris

Given that Fairyhouse would pose a much stiffer test than Auteuil, stamina concerns are minimal and before that he had put Yorkhill and Polidam to the sword over 2m4f, showing he has the dash for French jumps racing.

The Sunday undercard isn't to be sniffed at with two further Grade 1 races set to be staged. The Prix Alain Du Breil (4.08) is a race that has served Britain and Ireland well, providing Le Coudray, Nickname and Footpad (who was trained by Mullins at the time) with a launchpad to success overseas.

This year's race looks at the mercy of Feu Follet, who has swept all before him in 2019 and beaten many of these rivals along the way.

The exception is Fogo De Chao, who is stepping up in grade but comfortably held a horse that has since gained black type here in March.

He impressed with how he quickened up that day and, while he would do well to take Feu Follet's measure, he looks likely to be among his main pursuers at the least.

The final Grade 1 is the Prix Ferdinand Dufaure (2.45), a 2m6f chase for four-year-olds. Goliath Du Berlais adopts a similarly dominant position to Feu Follet and the next best on form, Bel Apsis, has been one of his victims this campaign.

Similar rules apply to the recommended bet – play small and each-way on an up-and-comer.

King Elvis showed a real engine amidst greenness when dotting up here last time, despite ploughing through the last. He is up in grade but undoubtedly has Pattern-race ability and should be suited by the step up in trip if he has learned more from that race.

If you are betting at Auteuil this weekend, do not miss our French correspondent Scott Burton's guide to the course