Ebonite beat the consistent Poly Grandchamp in the Grade 3 Troytown Chase in March and hasn’t finished outside the first two in any of her last seven races. She finished ahead of Carriacou in the Grade 1 La Haye Jousselin Chase last season but the latter will strip fitter for a run over hurdles in the spring. Roxinela hasn’t raced since winning a Grade 2 here in November but Feu Follet won at Compiegne in March, though has a bit to prove in this company over the larger obstacles. Amour du Mathan is also only five so may have more to offer but this can go to FIGUERO, who beat older horses for the first time over hurdles earlier this year and looked a class act when winning the Maurice Gillois last season.
Carriacou (FR) (10-10) 5th of 8, 10 3/4l behind El Gringo (10-7) at Auteuil 2m 5f lst (1) hvy in Mar.
Figuero (FR) (10-5) won at Auteuil 2m 2f hvy in Mar beating Achour (10-10) by 8l, 9 ran.
Poly Grandchamp (FR) (10-10) 2nd of 11, 4l behind Ebonite (10-1) at Auteuil 2m 6f sft in Mar.
Roxinela (FR) (10-3) won at Auteuil 2m 6f hvy in Nov beating Edgeoy (10-5) by shd, 8 ran.
Ebonite (FR) (10-1) won at Auteuil 2m 6f sft in Mar beating Poly Grandchamp (10-10) by 4l, 11 ran.
Feu Follet (FR) (11-0) won at Compiegne 2m 3f hvy in Mar beating Flying Startandco (10-10) by 7l, 8 ran.
Amour Du Mathan (FR) (9-10) at Auteuil 2m 6f sft in Mar.