From a beautiful setting at the foot of the Pyrénées comes the 137th Grand Prix de Pau, highlight of the racecourse’s winter jump meeting. Carrying Grade 3 status and offering a total prize fund of €154,000, Sunday’s 5300m chase has drawn a field of seven, which includes the titleholder.

Triumphant in the 2023 edition after having won his two preps, Youtwo Glass has followed a similar but slightly tweaked route this winter. Instead of kicking off under fences, Daniela Mele gave him an easier task over hurdles before going on to win the Listed Prix Bernard de Dufau for a second time. Unbeaten in four Pau chases, Mele’s 7 year-old has been bested just once in five starts over the Pau hurdles. His overall record at the venue, and the performances he has produced over recent weeks, will assure him favouritism.

The opposition has depth though, with two Grade 1 chase winners also lining up. Le Listrac, winner of the 2021 Prix Ferdinand Dufaure, has not been as performant since but has thrived in the provinces. Since winning smartly on his Pau bow on 17 December, François Nicolle was quick to put the Grand Prix on his charge’s agenda and a 3.5kg advantage is not to be sniffed at under these conditions.

Second of the top-level winners, Gessy Raiselle landed the prestigious Prix Maurice Gillois in 2022. Following a contracted 2023 due to poor form, she reassured with a fine effort over hurdles on her return to racing here recently and looks competitively well in.

G.3 chase winner, Inga Kam, beat Gessy Raiselle over hurdles here last month, while Marie Coastala finished closest to the favourite last time out. The improving In Love faces his stiffest test for some time, while Genesis As must show improvement.