Wednesday 7th April 2010, Auteuil

After the reappearance of Remember Rose, it was the turn of Viotti (Dream Well), unbeaten on three starts in 2008 but absent from the track for a year and a half, to make his comeback in the €48,000 Prix Guy Hunault Hurdle (5yos-3,600m). Just like his elder, the chesnut was unsuccessful but settled for a promising second place in front of his stable companion N'Oublie Jamais (Loup Solitaire), but behind Royal d'Arc (AQPS - Le Triton) who won handily. This AQPS was one of the most talented of his generation on the flat, having won the Bango and finished second in the Grand Prix des AQPS (Prix de Craon). Royal d'Arc was bred by SCEA Le Fragneau. His dam, Lextrienne (Neustrien) is a half sister of Pandolphe (Passing Sale), fifth in last year's Grand Steeple.

Monday 29th March 2010, Saint-Cloud.

Estruval - AQPS on show in Paris

The first important race for AQPS horses of 2010 in the Parisian region, the €28,000 Prix d'Estruval (AQPS-4&5yos-2,400m) was won by Saint Gratien (AQPS - Fragrant Mix), returning to the flat after a spell over jumps at Pau this winter. "I didn't think he was strong or mature enough to continue jumping", confided Etienne Leenders, "  
Saint Gratien was bred by Jacques Cyprès. He is a brother of Matignon (Gunboat Diplomacy), notably third in the Grande Course de Haies de Pau (L.), and of Porte d'Auteuil (Network), a winner on the flat, over hurdles and over cross country fences for François Nicolle.

that's why I brought him back to the flat. He will now go for the Prix Bango, here on April 22nd. Then he will have a break before going jumping this autumn."

Sunday, March 28th 2010 - Auteuil. She was the best 3yo AQPS over the flat and won the classic Prix Jacques de Vienne, the AQPS' top 3yo contest last season, writes Le Frog. She could now become a leading player over the obstacles after her impressing debut at Auteuil. Ridden with confidence by Christophe Pieux, who took more time checking out the opposition over his shoulders than actually look in front of him in the run-in, Sister Palma (AQ-Kahyasi) took the 44,000 Prix Samaritain AQPS Hurdle (4&5yo - 3,500m) without much hassle. The Jehan Bertran de Balanda-trained 4yo filly just left Sortie de Secours (AQ-Trempolino), a promising filly trained by Guy Cherel and bred by the Haras de Saint-Voir, to score by six lengths unextended. "She's a lovely filly and a pleasure to train," said the winning trainer. "I am very pleased because it's a nice story. We bred her along with my great friends Anthony Baudoin and François Hoffet (whose colours she's representing)."

Sister Palma's overall record now reads 7-3-3-1 and she will probably win a good hurdle race very soon. She's out of Miss Palma (AQ-Great Palm), an AQPS winner over the flat who already gave Miss Sarenne (AQ-Robin des Prés), second in the Finot Hurdle (L) at Auteuil. Miss Palma is a sister to Prix Jacques de Vienne-winner and five-time winner Miss Academy (Vidéo Rock), who also finished fourth 4th in the Fred Winter 4yo Hurdle Handicap (Gr3) and the Aintree equivalent in 2005, and to the good Mister No (Graveron).

The other AQPS race on Sunday, the €50,000 Prix Mitsouko III Chase (5yo - 4,100m) was also won with great ease by Raphy de la Roche (AQPS - Dom Alco). This Francois Cottin-trained gelding won at his 4th attempt over hurdles at 3 years old at Pau and was subsequently 4th for his chasing debut there. Out one year, he came back only three weeks earlier and scored the try this time

Wednesday 24th March 2010, Enghien. Septland (AQ-Agent Bleu) achieved a second consecutive victory when she romped home in the €44,000 Prix John Cunnington (4yo Females-3,500m) despite some minor errors in her jumping. Winning trainer, Philippe Peltier, said afterwards: "Today was a good opportunity for her so I ran her once more over hurdles. Her future entries will be in chases here at Enghien before heading to Auteuil." Jockey David Cottin added; ""Despite some small mistakes she free wheeled round the final bend. Once she was in front I was able to ride her as I wanted."

Prise de Risque (Take Risks) finished back in second place on her first run back. The representative of Tony Clout had her first run over fences at the end of last year when finishing third here at Enghien. She is undoubtedly a promising filly who had the misfortune of encountering a very talented opponent in Septland.

Bred by Thierry Cyprès, Septland is very well bred. This AQPS is out of Jubyland (Kadalko) who is a sister of the dam of Cumberland (Cyborg) and Embiez (Lute Antique), both winners of the Prix Maurice Gillois (Gr1). Philippe Peltier also trains the older sister of Septland, Réunion (Fragrant Mix), wha has been running over fences since last May - With www.frogsracing.com