Saturday 26th Angers. Riding Princess (AQPS - Sunshack) won the €28,000 Prix Roger de Terves Chase, also known as the Grand Steeple des 4 ans (3,800m), by 10 lengths, despite a mistake at the last hurdle. Riding Princess is out of Tara Kane II, a useful cross country mare, who has already bred the good Orlando Magic (AQPS- Assessor), 2nd in the Prix du Président de la République (Gr3).

Tuesday 29th December 2009, Deauville. Solenne du Clos (AQPS - Freedom Cry) confirmed her good debut when producing a strong final effort to win the €14,000 Prix du Haras de Saint-Lô (3yo AQPS Fillies-2,400m Fibresand). In a race led by Sara d'Ecupillac (AQPS - Chef de Clan), Solenne du Clos was very keen early on, but her jockey, Hervé Paimblanc, managed to switch her off at the back of the pack. The representative of Philippe Chemin made a nice effort in the straight to beat Silverlea (AQPS - Shaanmer) on the line. Solenne du Clos was bred in Mayenne by Gérard and Carole Durand. Her mother is a half sister of Nicolas du Clos (AC - Nononito), winner of the Grand Steeple de la Solle a few weeks ago.

Saying Again (AQPS - Califet) made the most of his return to racing in the €14,000 Prix du Haras du Pin (3yo AQPS Males-2,400m Fibresand), when beating Starnice (AQPS - Ragmar), with So Star (AQPS - Rifapour), third. Bred by the Cherel brothers, Saying Again is a son of the good Débandade (AQPS - Le Pontet), winner of the Prix André Boingnières at Auteuil. She has already produced Ladalko (AQPS - Kadalko), exported across the Channel where he has won a Gr2 over hurdles, Oumeyade (AQPS - Smadoun), Gr2 placed over fences in England and Rochdale (AQPS - Vidéo Rock), winner of a "quinté" over hurdles at Auteuil. She also has a yearling by Prince Kirk.

Saturday 2nd January 2010, Pau. Soldatino (AQPS - Graveron) made a very good impression in the €30,000Prix Alfred Torrance Hurdle (4yo Males-AQPS-3500m), when getting the better of his rivals on the flat for an easy win. "He showed class on the flat when he finished second to Sappo, at Paray-Le-Monial", recalled his trainer Loic Manceau. The Peltier representative Santo Conti (AQPS - Dom Alco) took second place. His jockey, David Berra, said afterwards: "He was well prepared and very pleasant to ride. He will toughen up with racing." I third, Sanjaka de Thaix (AQPS - Dom Alco) finished with a good action.

Soldatino was bred by Alexandre Lastrajoli. He is the first produce of his dam, Malory du Chenay (AQPS - Art Sebal), winner on the flat.

Sir du Béarn (AQPS - Passing Sale) was one of trainer Jean-Pierre Totain great hopes for this meeting, and he didn't disappoint when winning the second division of the €30,000 Prix Alfred de Torrance Hurdle (4yo Males-AQPS-3,500m). Quickly on the heels of the leaders, "he didn't look like the winner until the last bend. "He is still a big baby, who will progress a lot", said Gaëtan Olivier. Jean-Pierre Totain had this to say: "He was given a great ride and I liked his action in the finish. He jumps a bit big and will be better in chases. He really is a very good horse." The favourite Sadoum Ludois (AQPS-Smadoun) was not disgraced in second place. Sir du Bearn, is loaned by Valéry Demory and Jean-Pierre Totain and was bred by Eric Prezelin. His dam, Girl du Béarn (AQPS - Sarpedon) was unraced. At stud she has already produced Oural du Béarn (AQPS - Chamberlin), a cross country winner. She is a sister of the classy Elan Béarnais, third in the Grand Prix de Pau 200.

Tuesday 5th Jan 2010, Pau. (www.leblogdeparisturf.com) Hot favourite for the last prep race before the Grand Prix de Pau, Rubi Ball (AQPS-Network) marked his territory in style when dominating without any problems two other 5 year olds, Misérable (Discover d'Auteuil) and Red Matrix (Red Ransom), in the €65,000 Prix Renaud du Vivier Chase(L-5yos+- 4,600m).
Trainer Jacques Ortet and the Papot family were overjoyed at the victory while awaiting the return of the champion in the winner's enclosure. Xavier Papot announced: "We had everything to lose but he didn't disappoint and we will be back here with my parents and my brother on the 24th of January." Christophe Pieux, found the son of Network "a little too relaxed when he found himself in front after the fall of Tino Tino at the big open-ditch."

In just under three weeks, Rubi Ball will reencounter the runners up from this race.Rubi Ball was bred by Jean-Louis Berger and Pierre Duvignand. His dam Hygie (AQPS - AQPS - Network), who returned to stud a few months ago after suffering a tendon injury. She also has a yearling filly and a colt foal, both by Robin des Champs, who have both been acquired by the Papot family. Hygie (Lute Antique) has also produced the good Quecy de Chadzeau (AQPS - Network), who returned to stud a few months ago after suffering a tendon injury. She also has a yearling filly and a colt foal, both by Robin des Champs, who have both been acquired by the Papot family.

Thursday 7th January 2010, PauA very honest filly on the flat, Saphira Mans (AQ - Fragrant Mix) still had to wait until her tenth start in this discipline to find success. This was on the Fibresand of Pau on the 12th of December. Thursday in the €30,000 Prix d'Oloron Hurdle (AQPS-4yo Females-3,500m), she made a winning debut over hurdles. Her trainer, Jean-Luc Pelletan, said afterwards: "On the flat, even though she won, she never showed her full ability. Here she could breathe and has outclassed the rest. She can run without any problems against thoroughbreds." You have been warned.

Monday 11th January 2010, Pau. Quoquo de Chalon (AQPS - Robin des Champs) was the winner of the €26,000 Prix Maurice Fagalde (cross-country - 6yos - 4,100m). He was a winner on his debut in this discipline at the start of the meeting. José-Bruno Gonzalez-Sanchez, who has ridden him on each of his 3 starts this winter, commented: "He is delicate and still has a lot to learn. But on what he has done today he has the right to run in the Grand Cross."
Bred by Bernard Pol and Bernard Touillon, Quoquo de Chalon is a brother of the good Natan (AQPS - Blushing Flame), winner of the Grand Handicap de la Maine and the Prix d'Estruval, when beating Osana.