Uppercut de Manche takes Grand Prix de la Toussaint

October 23, 2015 – Today’s Quinte+ (jackpot €3.55 million) was the Grand Prix de la Toussaint – Tour European (purse €120,000, 2300 meters autostart, 16 entrants) at Mons Ghlin and it went to 9/2 odds Uppercut de Manche (7g Neutron du Cebe-Nuit de Manche) for reinsman Sebastien Ernault for trainer Thierry Raffegeau and owner J-Y Roze.

Timed in 1.12.4kr the winner defeated 17/1 Sierra Leone (9f John Arifant-Unde d’Havetot) driven by J-Cl. Hallais for trainer J-W Hallais and J.Cl.R. Lucas, the owner by two lengths. 7.9/1 barefoot Solea Rivelliere (9f Calife des Noues-Heloa Rivelliere) was third for trainer/driver Philippe Daugeard with 4.3/1 odds Ricimmer (10m Hermes du Buisson-Gyka de la Chaise) fourth for trainer/owner/driver Herve Soinneau. 64/1 outsider Paladin Bleu (12m Jag de Bellouet-Una Picolina-Ianthin) was fifth.

Well regarded Roxana de Barbray was disqualified for a miscue and 1.4/1 favorite Roi du Lupin was eigth.

While finishing third today, Solea Rivelliere won the title European Tour – French Trotteur.

Replay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSa9edqGtb0

The Prix Champagne Moet at Mons Ghlin drew 15 International starters for a purse of €12,000 over 2300 meters autostart. 1.1/1 odds favorite Bandit Hornline (5m San Pellegrino-Dash Girl-Giant Chill) took this victory for reinsman Dominik Locqueneux, trainer Robert Bergh and Stall Askbollen. Timed in 1.13.9kr the narrow winner defeated 2.9/1 Angelina BR (7f Angus Hall-Fiery Chip) for Rik Ebbinge and trainer Thierry Duvaldestin. 158/1 Camino EV (9g Halimede-Jerkine) was third for owner Stal de Groningers and trainer Henk A.J. Grift.

Also at Mons-Ghlin today was the Grand Prix Paris-Turf Belgique (purse €48,000, 2850 meters autostart, 13 International starters) and the six length 1.15.2kr winner was 1.1/1 odds Naglo’ del Nord (8g Naglo-Entita’ del Nord) for teamster Nico d’Haenens, trainer Vincent Martens and owner HB Ecurie Derco. 13/1 Tino la Ravelle (8g Islero de Bellouet-Jirania la Ravelle) was second for Sebastien Ernault and trainer E-G Blot with third to 118/1 longshot Sole Mia (9g Halimede-Jerkine) driven by Geir Vergeerde, trainer Henk A.J. Grift and owner Stal de Groningers.

This day in Sweden there were two interesting Solvalla winners. Rum Swizzle (3f Holiday Road-Southwind Caramel-Revenue) won at 22/1 odds for Per Lennartsson defeating Stefan Melander driving Tweet Hanover. The other winner that caught my attention was Britelite AM (4f Cash Hall-Intensite-Yankee Glide) for Orjan Kihlstrom at 5.2/1 with second to Ladyofthelike for Pierre Nystrom. This winner is trained by Roger Walmann for Stall Courant AB, and is a half-sister to Intense America.

Thomas H. Hicks