- Monday, 13 June 2011 13:59
- Written by David Pipe
He faces a tough task under 9-10, but I am encouraged to see that Sir Michael Stoute’s dour stayer Cover Up won under that burden in 2001. We could probably do without too much more rain, although he has won on soft and good/soft ground over obstacles. This has been the plan ever since he bolted up at the Cheltenham Festival and it became clear that he would not make the cut for the Grand National. He continues in excellent form and I am thoroughly looking forward to the meeting.
We will have two runners in France this weekend as Grands Crus takes in the Grade One Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil (French Champion Hurdle), while Or Noir de Somoza runs in the Grade Two Prix des Drags Steeplechase (a race in which he finished runner-up in 2007). It has been a happy hunting ground for Or Noir de Somoza in the past as he has won no fewer than an amazing 16 of his 27 starts at the Paris track – he is in good order and I hope that he performs creditably for his sporting Swiss owners.
The horses will leave on Thursday and catch the ferry to Calais, before staying overnight near the course. I am delighted to exclusively reveal that in the absence of stable jockey Tom Scudamore, we have been able to secure the services of sixteen times champion jockey A P McCoy for the ride aboard Grands Crus. He is very well at home and will certainly appreciate the softer ground that is inevitably prevailing at the French racecourses. There is a strong overseas contingent present among the entries with leading Irish trainer Willie Mullins represented by Thousand Stars, Mourad, Final Approach as well as that incredible mare Quevega.
Above left: Grands Crus and right: Or Noir de Somoza continue their preparation ahead of Auteuil this weekend
I will be flying over to France on Friday to look at some horses and will be staying in Paris overnight - I am sure that we will have a good time win, lose or draw. We had an extremely enjoyable recent trip over with Notus de la Tour, and were hugely encouraged by his brave performance. Saturday should be a great occasion and I cannot wait to go back!
Finally, I was pleased to see a number of racing personalities were recognised in the latest honours list including Trevor Hemmings who received a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order for his service as vice-president of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, while I could not be happier to see Henry Cecil receive a knighthood for his contribution to racing. Henry has been an inspiration to so many people for so long and this recognition is not only thoroughly well deserved, but in my opinion long overdue.
