Thursday 30 November sees Compiègne stage its final raceday of 2023 with the entire meeting dedicated to jump racing. Among the eight races programmed is a pair of Listed chases and, topping the billing, a brace of Gr.3 hurdles events. The Grande Course de Haies de Compiègne covers 3600m and is open to 4 year-olds and up, while the Prix General de Saint-Didier is restricted to the 3 year-old generation and run over 3400m.

In this latter event, Light Wave is expected to return to hurdling after a fine debut over fences earlier in the month. A four-times winner from six in the discipline, including a 3600m Auteuil Listed, he may still come up against Pistache Doré who gave a very respectable account in the recent G.1 Prix Cambacérès.

A ten-lengths’ winner at Fontainebleau in early October, Chimichuri was surprisingly beaten at the same venue next time out but still deserves to take his chances. Game Of Storm has won in both codes at Auteuil this season and has solid references at Compiègne.

Porto Pollo was retired after winning the last two editions of the Grande Course de Haies and the door is now open for a new successor. Gold Tweet, who alternates between the two disciplines, will be very much in focus, however Spes Militurf, who has won six of seven hurdling starts and latterly at this very venue, beat him in the G.2 Grand Steeple de Compiègne late last month.

Not seen over hurdles since winning a Compiègne Listed in the spring, La Chenevière was unlucky in the G.1 Grand Prix d’Automne but will be no pushover if François Nicolle decides to run her. Also on the list of entries are the good Orville, Impérial Mag, and Vae Patron.