Maître Jacques och Magic Night - höjdpunkterna i Prix Ephrem Houel

1. Magnum du Choquel – François Lagadeuc
   Hade en otrolig jämnhet 2025 mot kullen bästa men haft formproblem i början på 2026. Med ändrad balans så har han gått med plattor istället för järnskor i de två senaste starterna, som under 2025. I ett mindre fält utan de större namnen har han en chans att nå pallen!
2. Memphis de Brasse - Théo Briand
   Överraskande montévinnaren från grupp 1-loppet Saint-Léger des Trotteurs ifjol. Varit stabil hela karriären men inte riktigt räckt till mot de allra bästa. Samma sak gäller här; Med några bra hästar borta så kan han slåss om placeringarna från det här utgångsläget, men ska väl mest räknas som en outsider.
3. Mat Manathis - Alexis Prat
   Har redan visat sin höga kapacitet och slog Ginostrabliggi på Enghien förra sommaren och tagit flera pallplatser i grupploppen. Han är en att se upp för och ska gå barfota för första gången!
4. Magic Man - Matthieu Abrivard
   Har bara gjort tio starter i karriären vilket är väldigt få jämfört med övriga.
   Börjande lovande och slutade tvåa i Prix Albert Viel i juni ifjol. Hade sedan längre uppehåll och kom tillbaka med galopp och fjärdeplats. Var sedan ifrån ytterligare tre månader och gjorde comeback 16 november 2025, då galopperade han igen. Frågetecknet är om han lyckats hitta formen. Huvudmålet är nog att bygga självförtroende.
5. Monzon Normand - Youann Lebourgeois
   Tävlat lite i skuggan på stallkamraten Ginostrabliggi. Är ofta med i större loppen utan att segerstrida. Ska nu gå barfota för första gången men max pallplats.
6. Morality - Mathieu Mottier
   Har nästan alltid körts av sin tränare Julien Dubois. Har visat kapacitet men aldrig utmanat om pallplatserna i de större loppen. Körs för första gången av Mathieu Mottier vilket kan bli spännande!
7. Maître Jacques - Alexandre Abrivard
   En av kullens bästa som saknades i Prix Ourasi den 24 januari. Han återkommer här efter tredjeplats i Prix Ready Cash den 7 december. Kommer vara fräsch och trots sämre spåret är han en av favoriterna. Stark som få men risken finns för galopp.
   "Han var en av våra sjuka hästar i vinter. Vilade tio dagar och kommer in i det här med tio dagars jobb. Han ser bra ut och vi räknar med att hans kapacitet hjälper till. Magic Night är ett hot, men hon måste bevisa sig på den här banan", säger Abrivard.
8. Magic Night - David Thomain
   Bästa stoet i kullen som nu saknar sin ordinarie kusk Paul Ploquin. Slutade trea i Prix Ourasi efter två månaders uppehåll och borde vara ännu bättre nu. En riktig fighter och distansen passar -men spåret är svårt...
9. Madrid Haufor - Damien Bonne
   Snabb avslutande som fick attackera bakifrån i Prix Ourasi. Klarar distansen men spår 9 är till hennes nackdel. Får hon en bra rygg att gå med i kan hon utmana favoriterna.
10. Mira de Froulay - Franck Nivard
    Första hästen i bakre ledet med Prix d'Amérique-vinnande Nivard. Började karriären med fyra raka segrar men har sen stött på tuffare motstånd. Måste förbättra sig rejält här.
11. Midway Lady - Benjamin Rochard
    Extremt jämn och i stort sett alltid bland de tre. Gör comeback nu efter längre uppehåll. Normalt hade hon varit aktuell för pallen men kan bli tufft nu. Går med plattor fram/barfota bak för första gången.
12. Marquety de Bailly - Nicolas Bazire
    Ett av hans första starter mot kullens bästa och förväntas få det svårt. Inte riktigt visat någon övertygande form på slutet.

The race is reserved for four-year-olds and run over 2100m, starting behind the gate. The record was only set last year by Lombok Jiel: 1’10’’4 over 2100m.

This year it includes some of the main figures of the generation, but names like Maestro Vrie (winner of the Prix Ourasi), Mack de Blary, Golden Gio, and Ginostrabliggi are missing.

The on-paper favorites have been unlucky in their draw; might this again be a race where an outsider takes the win?

1. Magnum du Choquel – François Lagadeuc

Although incredibly consistent in 2025 against the best of the generation, he’s been struggling with his form in 2026. With iron-setup restrictions removed this season, he has raced on plates in his last two races rather than irons on all four, unlike in 2025. He now reverts to the set-up that delivered several podium places. In a smaller field with some strong horses missing, he returns with a shot at the podium places.

2. Memphis de Brasse – Théo Briand

The surprise winner of the Saint-Léger des Trotteurs (monté group 1) last year. He has been consistent throughout his career but hasn’t proven his worth against the very best. That also applies here: with some horses missing, he might profit and fight for the places. He remains an outsider.

Trainer Simon Rousselle: “I don’t intend to enter him in a monté race at Vincennes immediately. He has worked well in preparation for this race. I’m removing his shoes from all four feet. We have a good starting position. I expect him to run very well and finish in the money.”

3. Mat Manathis – Alexis Prat

The fast horse has already proven his capabilities. He beat Ginostrabliggi at Enghien in July 2025 and has numerous podium places in group races. He is experienced and will definitely be among the challengers here. Goes barefoot for the first time here. One to watch out for.

4. Magic Man – Matthieu Abrivard

The horse has only raced ten times in his career, which is relatively low compared to others in this field. He started his career with potential, proving it with a second place in the group 1 Prix Albert Viel in June 2025.

He then took a two-month break and returned with a gallop and a fourth place. He was again not seen for three months and returned on November 16, 2025. He galloped once more, and question marks remain as to whether he can rediscover his form and strength. Returning from a longer break, he is among the outsiders here. The main step seems to be building confidence.

5. Monzon Normand – Yoann Lebourgeois

Although consistent, Monzon Normand has always raced in the shadow of his stable companion Ginostrabliggi. He’s always present in the bigger races but never challenges for victory. Racing barefoot for the first time, but a podium appears to be the limit.

6. Morality – Mathieu Mottier

The honest mare has mostly been driven by her trainer Julien Dubois throughout her career. She has always proven her worth and qualities but has never been able to contest the podium in the major races. For the first time, Mathieu Mottier will take the seat. An important change that deserves attention, as the driver switch could bring an extra boost.

7. Maître Jacques – Alexandre Abrivard

A main player of the generation who was not present in the group 1 Prix Ourasi on January 24. He returns here after a third place in the group 1 Prix Ready Cash on December 7.

He will be fresh, and even with an unlucky draw, he is among the favorites. Strong and capable, the only thing he needs to avoid is disqualification.
His driver explains: “He was one of our sick horses this winter. He was rested for ten days and is coming into this race with about ten days of work under his belt. He looks well and we’re counting on his freshness. Magic Night is a contender, but she has to prove herself on this course.”

8. Magic Night – David Thomain

The best filly of the generation. She will miss her usual driver, Paul Ploquin, who is injured (broken collarbone after an accident at Grosbois). She finished third in the Prix Ourasi after a two-month break, indicating she should be even stronger here.

She’s a fighter that doesn’t give up. The distance isn’t a problem, but the gate number might make it harder for her.

9. Madrid Haufor – Damien Bonne

A fast finisher who had to come from far behind in the Prix Ourasi. She has performed over the distance, but post position 9 might not be in her favor. If she manages to find a covered position closer to the front, she is capable of challenging the two favorites.

Trainer Christian Bigeon says: “She dropped back behind a rival on the final turn and lost her position; otherwise, she could have won on the inside, according to Damien. She’s maintained good form. Unfortunately, we have post position 9. We’ll have to manage her and find a way to keep her out of trouble.”

10. Mira de Froulay – Franck Nivard

The first horse on the second row, driven by the Prix d’Amérique champion. She started her career with four wins in a row but has since been challenged. She will need to have improved considerably to be competitive here.

Trainer Jean-Philippe Raffegeau is optimistic: “We didn’t see anything at the end of January after a mistake at the start. She has nothing interesting to show in her category before the spring. So we’re trying here so as not to leave her on a bad note. She can go very fast over a short stretch. I wouldn’t be surprised if she finished third or fourth.”

11. Midway Lady – Benjamin Rochard

Consistent in every way possible. She rarely finishes outside the top three but returns here after a long break, having last raced on October 24. Even though her consistency would normally make her a podium contender, she may struggle here. Racing with plates in front and barefoot behind for the first time.

12. Marquety de Bailly – Nicolas Bazire

One of his first appearances against the best of the generation and expected to struggle. He hasn’t put in a competitive performance for some time.