Prix Stanley - Its Now

Prix Stanley

Auteuil 31/5/25 - Tres Souple 4,0

3YO Listed Hurdle - 3,500m - €43,700

4:03.21 - 3.35s below the course expected time

A 4-length win for Its Now. He confirmed the strength of his win at Compiegne in April. Jumped left at the first and met several hurdles on the wrong stride, needing to be nudged into the bridle towards the end of the back straight. However, having been last jumping the 3rd from home, he has made smooth headway, challenging widest and closed to jump the last on terms. Asserted in the final 100-yards to win going away, with a closing time of 17.13s from the last. An It’s Gino gelding, he is a half-brother to Moi Presidente and Bathyscaphe and their dam is a half-sister to Sleeping Blue. Solid family and plenty to like about him. Wears a Noseband and Tongue-Tie combination.

Shannon Maestro (2nd) won the Prix Gemix at the start of the month. Traveled like the winner as far as the last, but although slightly inconvenienced by the 3rd jumping left, was no match for the winner in the closing stages. The strong pace perhaps caught him out this time.

The Mighty Celt (3rd) won the Prix Rush but has struggled to live up to the hype since. Visually, he is a big son of Walk in the Park and he hits the ground quite hard with his front legs. Possible that the ground is too quick for him at this point. Led and held every chance as they turned for home, but jumped left in the straight and veered away from the stands rail as a result. Lacked the speed of the winner in the closing stages, but can be forgiven that having led at an honest gallop. Tongue-Tie added for this run.

Malin du Mathan (4th) remains a maiden after 3 starts. Has shown enough to think he will win a 3YO hurdle, but was outpaced on the run to the 2nd last before staying on again with the stands side rail to help. He had a top speed of 52.8 km/h which was 1 km/h slower than the winner, though he was only 0.46s slower from the last to the line. In need of softer ground to get a win, or a stiff finish like Compiegne. Dam a half-sister to Amour du Mathan who ran for the same connections, winning a G2 over fences at Compiegne. A horse to note for chasing and a step up in trip as a 4-year-old.

Turenne (5th) and Vol Au Vent (6th) had both won at Compiegne but their earlier form was confirmed here and both are perhaps slightly below the level of the winner and runner-up. Popy (7th) needs a drop in class now after being highly tried in 5 starts.

Panthere Verte won the Prix Gilbert Gallot on debut. He traveled nicely as far as the 3rd last having initially dropped to the rear, but was quickly eased and pulled-up before the 2nd last.