PRIX DU CONSEIL DEPARTEMENTAL DE MAINE ET LOIRE

PRIX DU CONSEIL DEPARTEMENTAL DE MAINE ET LOIRE

Saumur - 22nd February 2026 - “Souple 3,5”

4YO AQPS - 2,700m - €4,700

2:58.40 (Réduction KM 1:06.70)

Daniela Mele won this race with Impose Toi in 2022 and looks to have unleashed another couple of talented AQPS recruits in this year’s race on Sunday. The ground was described as Soft, but the earlier races had cut up the turf quite badly and I would suggest that this was a stiffer test than a 3,5 reading might suggest.

Morisk D’Oudairies (Winner) was the stable first string based on the jockey bookings and gave Leo-Paul Brechet a relatively easy time of things as he cantered clear in the closing stages to win by 6 lengths. He is a No Risk At All gelding whose dam won twice in this sphere. She is a half-sister to Espoir D’oudairies who won 18 races and Fills D’Oudairies who reached a peak rating of 149 in Ireland for Gordon Elliott. He would appear to be very talented and having sat behind the leaders, I was impressed with the way he eased himself through the gap to take up the running with around 600m to run. Once in front, Brechet barely had to move as he pulled clear of the eventual 3rd (Mangue) and his jockey even allowed himself a cheeky look round to see where the others were as they entered the final furlong. He is the 2nd impressive winner in as many days for Daniela Mele in AQPS races and looks to have all the attributes needed to be an above average recruit. Wore a Tongue-Tie and Noseband.

Miskia (2nd) had a much more difficult passage having raced towards the rear. She was forced very wide around the turn as Camille Thelier-Mele drove her forwards. She closed all the way to the line and having hand timed their finishes, I would estimate that she was almost a second quicker than the winner from the 500m point to the line. She is a Martinborough filly and a half-sister to Liskaria, also trained by Daniela Mele, who ended last season with a 2nd placed finish in the G3 Prix Morgex at Auteuil. She clearly handled the conditions and showed a great attitude as the only horse to make up any significant ground from the rear of the field. It would appear that she was the 2nd string and was ridden accordingly, but having made up so much ground she is surely a winner in waiting next time. Wore a Tongue-Tie and Noseband.

Mangue (Etienne D’Andigne) finished 3rd and is worth noting. She chased the winner through and although no match for him or his stablemate in the final furlong, she was still 8 lengths clear of the rest at the line and ran a fine race on debut under the circumstances having probably bumped into some above average types. She is a Prince Gibraltar filly and a half-sister to 3 winners. Her pedigree includes horses like Ga Law and Delta Work and she will surely make up into a nice chaser in time.