Prix Aguado 2025 - Leopard du Berlais

PRIX LE PARISIEN (PRIX AGUADO)

Auteuil 18th May - Tres Souple 4,1

3YO Grade 3 Hurdle - 3,500m - €60.750

4:06.18

A debut win from Leopard du Berlais was slightly unexpected and a PMU SP of 23 (7th of the 8-runners) would suggest that his connections weren’t sure either. An Ectot half-brother to several juvenile winners (Panther du Berlais, Impala du Berlais), his Dam is a half-sister to G2 winner and G1 placed Shinco du Berlais. Wore a Tongue-tie for this debut. He did have an entry in the Prix Wild Monarch here in April and the Prix Du Brevent at Compiegne, but connections chose to come straight here. No obvious fluke about this and he was the fastest horse from the last to the line in 17.08s (next best 17.53s). Tracked the steady early pace in the middle of the pack, jumping the 2nd last on terms and being shaken up to challenge the long time leader. Driven when carried left by the eventual runner-up, but really asserted on the run-in with a top speed of 54.3 km/h to win by over 2-lengths. I have nothing but praise for a relatively flawless debut, especially at this level. The last 2 winners of this race have gone to stud at the end of their 3-year-old seasons. He is lacking the equipment needed for that, but after such an impressive debut, his connections must be thinking about the Graded races in the autumn, if British and Irish suitors don't tempt them to sell.

Matin Midi Et Soir (2nd) did very little wrong under Bryony Frost. He had won the Prix Grandak by 13-lengths on debut in March and looks to have run to a similar level. Made the running and was still in front at the last, but he did drift to his left and was no match for the winner on the run-in, finishing in 17.58s. He remains a gelding of huge potential, though he may have been better suited by a stronger early pace.

Midnight Cowboy (3rd) continued his improvement to finish 3rd. He won the Prix Champaubert last time and showed a decent turn-of-foot, though we need to allow for the fact that he had the stands rail to run against in the home straight. He had to be nudged along around the final bend, but having been slightly outpaced (after covering more ground to get to the rail) he did stay on again in the last 100-yards to gallop through the line. Softer ground may well bring more improvement.

Lotus Vert (4th) was 5-lengths behind the principles at the line. He had finished 2nd in the Prix Go Ahead, but both he and Diabolo Vert (5th) were outpaced on this ground. Wild Bill Hickok was making his 4th start in the space of 2-months, but he crashed through the 3rd last and was quickly beaten. At this stage, he has achieved the most of the Walk in the Park 3-year-olds that Coolmore have sent to France, but he appears to have been found out in a better race. Motu Kota has the pedigree, but after a promising start he has faded and was pulled up at the end of the back straight after losing ground.