Howdy Partner wrangles Grand National du Trot opener

The first leg of the Grand National du Trot (Gr. III, purse 90,000€, 2900 meters distance handicap, 5-10 year olds National) series took place this day at Amiens with the victory to 9/1 odds Howdy Partner (6m Repeat Love-Action Replay) reined by Franck Nivard and timed in 1.15.6kr.

Nivard engineered a perfect trip along the pegs before a path opened late.

The winner now has seven career victories for 280,616€ for the Tomas Malmqvist trainee and owner Stall Panamera Racing. Flash de Vely (8g Un Mec d’Heripre) was second at 21/1 odds for trainer/driver Sebastien Ernault. Helot de Cahot (6g Un Charme Fou) was third at 4.7/1 with Eric Raffin at the lines for trainer/owner Stephane Prioul. The favored I Love Me was a misque dq.

by Thomas H. Hicks, for Harnesslink