A full field of 18 runners takes to Vincennes on Sunday for what is the most prestigious race on the global monté calendar. Run over the classic distance of 2700m, this year’s Gr.1 Prix de Cornulier is a mouth-watering prospect in waiting.

Runner-up in 2021, Flamme Du Goutier went on to win the last two editions, but is expected to face even stiffer opposition this time around. Trainer Thierry Duvaldestin has been preparing for his 9yo champion’s hat-trick bid since she imposed 12 months ago. Easy to handle and as adaptable as they come, she showed her form under harness in the Prix de Bourgogne and, barefoot on Sunday, can offer Mathieu Mottier just his second success at the zenith of the ridden code.

Challengers come aplenty, but three stand out. Dual Gr.1 winner, Ina Du Rib was an exceptional winner of last month’s Gr.1 qualifier, Prix Bilibili, and barefoot again, looks dangerous. She is not the best of starters but, like Duvaldestin’s mare, she has a good turn of foot and will not be easily put down. Third mare of the field, Hanna Des Molles has been bested just once in five appearances under the saddle, and that was when finishing third in last year’s showpiece. Regular partner, Alexandre Abrivard, was involved in a road accident last weekend but will be ably replaced on his father, Laurent-Claude’s, mare by François Lagadeuc. Last but not least of the main threats is the tough Ibiki de Houelle with the big motor. He has not been seen in the discipline for 7 months but his harness form is sure and if Eric Raffin can get him to the front early, the race is on. 

Of significant interest is Idéale Du Chêne who finished a very good runner-up to Ina Du Rib in the Bilibili, and trainer Julien Le Mer considers her a first-four prospect. Gold Voice won the Gr.2 Prix du Calvados qualifier by the smallest of margins from late Cornulier forfeit Happy And Lucky and, according to his owner, Fabrice Souloy has had this race on her agenda for some time. Second in last year’s running, Granvillaise Bleue is dynamic when barefoot and will most certainly have her fans.

A first Cornulier for a number of horses, it is similarly a first in the big race for a pair of apprentices. Joël Hallais has handed Noé Perron a late Christmas present by offering him the ride on Hirondelle du Rib, who can be regarded as an interesting outsider, while Alan Gendrot will be onboard Halfa who, while not the most important consideration, has nevertheless turned a corner this winter.

Since the Prix de Cornulier’s inception in 1931, only two horses have secured the hat-trick in three successive years; Souarus (1946 - 1948) and Jag De Bellouet (2004 - 2006). Those to have achieved the feat with a one-year gap are Gardon (1955, 1956, 1958), Bellino II (1973, 1975, 1976), and Kaiser Trot (1981, 1982, 1984).