After ten thrilling editions of the GNT, the carnival moves to Le Mont-Saint-Michel next Wednesday, 27 September. There remain just three stages left, with the grand finale scheduled for Sunday, 3 December, and the temperature is rising.

In the last edition, mid-September at Angers, Horace Du Goutier benefitted from the absence of his principal rival, Gaspar D’Angis (who would have incurred a 50m penalty), to win with relative ease, allowing him to once again take his place at the top of the points table, with just over two months to go to the series’ conclusion.

Sébastien Guarato’s 6 year-old will skip the next event and will not be seen out again until 8 November at Nantes. After that, it’s the final in Paris, and it would be no surprise if his handler then aimed him at one of the ‘B’ qualifying races for the 2024 Prix d’Amérique.

With Guarato’s horse off duty, all eyes will be on Gaspar D’Angis who, with a first-three finish, will reestablish his dominance of the championship. Eric Raffin saw his lead reduced following the Angers stage, but has an excellent opportunity next Wednesday to extend it over closest rival, Hugues Monthulé.

It is worth pointing out that Ganay De Banville made a remarkable comeback at Angers after almost two years on the sidelines, picking up 3rd place behind stablemate, Gigolo Lover. So pleased was his performance that day that Jean-Michel Bazire plans to run his Gr.1-winning 7 year-old at Le Mont-Saint-Michel.

Howdy Partner and Hidalgo Des Noës, respectively 3rd and 4th in the classifications, will not take part in this stage, making it ever more likely that the title of GNT champion 2023 will be fought out between Gaspar D’Angis and Horace Du Goutier.