Val Royal wins Grand National du Trot Paris

October 14, 2014 – J-M Bazire teamed his trainee Val Royal (6m Capriccio-Quarda du Rib) to victory today in the latest leg of the Gr. III Grand National du Trot Paris-Turf (purse €90,000, 2850 meters distance handicap,  18 starters), also the Q+ race of the day.

The shoeless winner scored in 1.15.6kr at 5.6/1 odds for owner Ecurie des Chames and overcame a 25 meter handicap.

1.2/1 favorite Venosc de Minel (6g Laetenter Diem-Melin Monochrome) was second for Joseph Verbeeck ahead of 58/1 outsider Saxo de Ligny (9m Pososis-Capri des Barges) with Eric Raffin driving. Tresor Wic was fourth and Taormina d’Em closed fifth in the Q+ event with a jackpot of €3.1 million.

The Prix de Marcigny (purse €36,000, 2850 meters, 13 starters) on the Vichy program, went to Cash Love (3m Love You-Isola Love) at 3.6/1 timed in 1.17.2kr for trainer/driver J-M Bazire and Ecurie des Charmes. 5.5/1 Catsoicette (3f Pad d’Urzy-Geteane) was second for Eric Raffin, teaming for trainer/owner Philippe Gaillard. 16.5/1 Cilento was third.

At Reims this day was held the Grand Prix du Champagne de Castelnau (purse €32,000, 2575 meters, 16 European starters) and the 1.15.1kr winner, off at 12.2/1 odds, was Theatral (8g Lilium Madrik-Dame Vallee) for teamster Bernard Piton for trainer Ronny Kuiper and Stall Escapade; 35/1 Turqiouse de Ry and 22/1 Ustin de Littry trailed the winner to the line

Thomas H. Hicks