Winner of the second stage of the popular GNT (Grand National du Trot) at Marseille-Borély in late March, Gaspar D’Angis yet again stamped his mark on the coveted prize, this time at Lyon-Parilly on Wednesday. With champion driver, Eric Raffin, in the sulky once more, Jean-Michel Baudouin’s seven year-old looks unstoppable.

Obvious race-favourite, Prix de Paris runner-up Harlem De Bucy, and the well-fancied Horchestro, got proceedings off to a blistering start, each in turn holding the lead until the final turn, at which point Raffin took advantage of the toils of the duel, launching his gelding to the front, from which point the pair was never going to be caught, imposing with real authority.

Alexandre Abrivard and Harlem De Bucy were forced to settle for another second place. Gangster Du Wallon produced his best performance for almost a year, to take the last podium place, adjudged only by a photo-finish with Horchestro. Howdy Partner and Fashion Touch fought out the minor spots, with the former coming out best. Eclat De Gloire, the lone horse in the field with an extra 25m to travel, was by no means disgraced in eighth place, but did set the race’s fastest time of 1’11”5.

Interviewed by French racing channel, Equidia, winning trainer Baudouin said, “We were forced to run him with pads on today, even though he’s better barefoot. Well done to my farrier without whose help we would never have got the horse to the track, given how fragile his feet are.

“I will speak to Eric Raffin, but I think he’ll take in the next leg of the GNT at Saint-Brieuc.” Already with 20 GNT victories under his belt, in present form Gaspar D’Angis looks good enough to bring his handler another success in a fortnight’s time (26 April).