Prix Finot (Poulains) - Auteuil

Prix Finot - Auteuil - 13th September 2025

“Tres Souple 4,0”

€26,680 - 3,600m

4:13.63 (Réduction KM 1:10.45)

A race dominated by Daniela Mele. Proactif was a clear best on the day, who stamped his authority on this field in the latter stages with a 6-length success. Initially he sat behind his stablemate on the inside, perhaps 2-3 lengths off the pace before being brought wide to get a clear run as they approached the 3rd from home at the end of the back straight. He had to be shaken up approaching the 2nd last, but jumped it in front before heading across to the stands rail, asserting after the last and winning “going away”. According to the McLloyd data, his stride length reached a race peak of 7.5m after the final flight. He is a Masked Marvel gelding and a half-brother to La Remontada, a Listed placed hurdler for Thomas Fourcy. If we go 4 generations back we find Celtic Son, winner of the Rising Stars (G2) at Wincanton for Martin Pipe in 2005. Wore a Noseband for this debut. Showed a very good attitude when asked. (6.8 CF3 on the PMU)

Apolon de Charnie (2nd) had finished last of 6 in a Clairefontaine Flat maiden in August, beaten 11-lengths by Monarch of the Sea. Jumped big at times and was given a lot to do from mid-division, but made ground by holding an inside line around the home turn. Followed the winner through and jumped the final flight widest of all, so can be upgraded slightly, keeping on well on the Flat after lurching over the last. A 1st foal by Chanducoq out of a dam (Lyss de Charnie) who was a 4-race maiden over hurdles. Wore a Tongue-Tie (added).

Secret D’Alcove (3rd) was switched to the stands side rail in the home straight. Every chance having jumped the 2nd last on terms with the winner, but lacked the pace to go with him on the run-in, eventually tiring as the runner-up closed. Certainly showed enough to think that he could win a 3YO hurdle. He is a Dschingis Secret gelding whose Dam was a winner over hurdles and she has produced 2 Black-Type performers already, Let Me Win and Saint Louis Blues. The dam, Camomille, is a half-sister to Camping Ground (Robert Walford, later Gary Moore).

Inlandsis (4th) also Daniela Mele. Led for much of the contest and gave his stablemate a decent tow into the contest. Still had some sort of chance turning for home and although outpaced, did keep on. Interesting to see what the market says next time. A Tin Horse gelding, his dam was a 4-time winner over obstacles.

Milord D’Alesa (5th). The horse to take from the race. Given a relatively quiet ride by James Reveley for George & Zetterholm. Made late progress from the rear, without getting himself into a position to challenge. Got within 4-lengths of the lead as they turned for home, he tired after jumping the last, but the front 5 had pulled 15-lengths clear of the rest at the line. He is a Latrobe whose Dam is a half-sister to Fastorslow (Brassil). He cost €67,000 at Arqana in 2024.