The Return of Theleme

PRIX HUBERT DE NAVAILLES

Auteuil - 14th March 2026 - “Lourd 4,7”

5YO+ C2 Hurdle - 3,600m - €23,460

A race that entirely revolved around the return of multiple G1 winner THELEME. He has been off the track since November 2023 and having been ruled out of the Stayers Hurdle in January 2024 at a point where he was close to favouritism, it’s been a long absence. However, whilst there were a couple of false dawns, most notably when he was entered but not declared for the Cleeve Hurdle in January, he came back with all his old swagger and class to win this Class 2 hurdle with some authority. It wasn’t the deepest race by any means and because of his absence, the race conditions were in his favour, but once sent on after jumping the 3rd last he quickened away from this field without ever really getting out of second gear. It’s important not to overreact. He was getting weight from the runner-up, who himself was running for just the 2nd time since 2024 and the 3rd placed Hermes Invicta had been off the track for almost 2 years. The only horse that can really be used to measure the form is the 4th placed Chimichuri, who was soundly beaten at Fontainebleau last month on his own return from an absence. A speed figure of 66 also tells its own story about the quality of this race.

However, after such a long time away from the track, the only thing that mattered today was for Theleme to get round and come back sound. In that sense, the box has been ticked and he will now need to step back up in grade to really test if the ability remains. His picture remains on the office wall and it will stay there no matter what, but there was a familiar feeling about watching Theleme ease clear in the latter stages at Auteuil and I’m left with a “What If” question, which is nice.