FRENCH RACING:IRELAND'S CHAMPION jumps trainer Willie Mullins attempts to transfer his local dominance to Paris on Sunday when Pomme Tiepy will fly the Irish flag in France's most prestigious steeplechase.
Pomme Tiepy leads a strong Mullins team at the Auteuil track this weekend with another star mare, Quevega, part of a trio of runners in the Grade Two Prix La Barka, a traditional trial for the French Champion Hurdle next month.
However, it is France’s version of the Gold Cup, the €820,000 Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris over three miles and five furlongs, that dominates this Sunday’s Auteuil action and Pomme Tiepy will be attempting to improve on a seventh placing in the race last year.
The ex-French-trained horse was fifth in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday but Mullins is hopeful of a good run on her return to Paris.
“I’m hoping she will be able to get into the frame this time. She was only five last year and it is a tough race for five-year-olds. We know she handles the track and I believe they have had a lot of rain over there recently which should suit her,” the Co Carlow-based handler said yesterday.
Pomme Tiepy’s opposition is likely to include the defending champion Princesse D’Anjou as well as other star local names like Cyrlight and Mid Dancer.
Auteuil has proved a happy hunting ground for Mullins in the past with back-to-back Champion Hurdle victories (2002-2003) for Nobody Told Me and Rule Supreme. They ran beforehand in the Prix La Barka, worth €175,000, and the powerful trio of Quevega, Kempes and J’y Vole will run this time for the trainer who has dominated in Ireland over the last 12 months as well as saddling three winners at the Cheltenham Festival.
Quevega was one of those Cheltenham winners in the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle and Mullins reported: “She has come out of her last race at Punchestown very well and the three of them are over there and will run.”
Mullins won the Grade Three Prix de Loingchamp on the same card last year with the current Champion Hurdle favourite Hurricane Fly and there could be more Irish interest in it this Sunday with Jumbo Rio.
Edward O’Grady’s consistent performer, a Grade One winner at the Punchestown Festival earlier this month, figures among just 12 entries for the race run over almost two and a half miles.
