Grand Prix in Meran: A short portrait of the starters

Al Bustan (CZE) Coach: Lubos Urbanek 2021: 1 start – 0 wins – 1 placing Prize money 2021 / career: 12.750 euros / 307.615 euros After his 2017th place last year, the winner of 2018 and runner-up in 4 only competed in 3 races this year and won the MIPAAF prize. He has a lot of experience and can still count on a strong finish. With Lukas Matusky in the saddle, he can be confident of a place in the front field again this year. Calotene (FRA) Coach Guillaume Macaire 2021: 7 starts – 4 wins – 1 placing Prize money 2021 / career: 65.820 / 152.535 euros The 7-year-old gelding is a specialist for the French provincial railways. He has already won there four times this year, but disappointed in his last two starts. His trainer knows the conditions in Merano very well and selected him from a number of horses for the Grand Prix. With James Reveley in the saddle, he is one of the extended favorites. Circle Centuria (ITA) Coach: Raffaele Romano 2021: 6 starts – 0 wins – 2 placings Prize money 2021 / career: 2.310 / 5.130 euros The 7-year-old mare has never competed in such a high-class race before. She completed her career with moderate success in Poland and on the Italian provincial racing circuits. The difficult course could pose major problems for them. With Ivan Cherchi in the saddle, she is the extreme outsider in the field. Embrun D'Oudairies (FRA) Coach: Richard Chotard 2021: 6 starts – 2 wins – 2 placings Prize money 2021 / career: 28.050 / 145.801 euros The 7-year-old gelding did well in the French provinces this year. He is a good jumper, but the long distance is unusual for him. If he can handle the Merano course on his debut on the slopes, then he can expect a positive surprise. He will be ridden by the experienced Alessio Pollioni. Enola Gay (ITA) Coach Raffaele Romano 2021: 7 starts – 1 win – 1 placing Prize money 2021 / career: 14.540 / 140.800 euros The 8-year-old gelding has completed good categories in France with moderate success. At his first start in Meran he showed a good performance with a 1th place in a strong field, but he was unable to confirm this afterwards. With Raffaele Romano he has a jockey in his saddle who has already won the Grand Prix three times. If the race goes well, a good placing is within reach. Fan D'Apples (ITA) Coach: Davide Satalia 2021: 5 starts – 0 wins – 4 placings 2021 win total / career: 23.380 / 86.729 The 6-year-old gelding performed admirably both in the French provinces and in Auteuil this year. He is a good jumper and the long distance shouldn't pose any serious problems for him. If he finds his feet right away on his track debut, then he can be expected to pull off a surprise with his trainer in the saddle. Cape year (ITA) Coach: Josef Vana Jr. 2021: 4 starts – 0 wins – 1 placing 2021 win total / career: 1.190 / 26.894 The 6-year-old gelding was unable to impress either in France or Meran this year. Although he has great potential, he often has to pay tribute to his susceptibility to mistakes when making jumps. The Meran course suits him. With Pavel Slozil in the saddle, he is one of the outsiders in the field. Il Superstite (ITA) Coach: Josef Vana 2021: 7 starts – 2 wins – 3 placings Prize money 2021 / career: 8.517 euros / 183 The 11-year-old gelding was considered the great hope in Italian obstacle sports before injuries set him back. Despite his old age, he also performed admirably in smaller races this year. However, the lack of stamina could have a negative impact again. With Luigi Maceli in the saddle, he is one of the outsiders in the field. L'Estran (CZE) Coach: Josef Vana Jr. 2021: 2 starts – 1 wins – 0 placings Total winnings 2021 / career: 10.625 / 368.390 euros The now 8-year-old gelding from the Aichner racing team is the winner of the last two editions of the race. After sub-optimal preparation and a crash in the European Grand Prix, he again showed a convincing performance in the Preis Creme Anglaise. He is a very strong jumper and fighter, has a hard pace and loves the distance. With the experienced Josef Bartos in the saddle, he is aiming for a hat trick this year as the big favorite. Human (ITA) Coach: Raffaele Romano 2021: 6 starts – 1 win – 2 placings 2021 win total / career: 10.115 / 110.868 The 6-year-old gelding changed hands to the Tanghetti racing team immediately before the Grand Prix. He performed honorably in smaller races this year. He jumps well, is a deep running specialist, but the distance could get him into trouble. With Dominik Pastuszka in the saddle, he is one of the outsiders in the field. Northerly Wind (CZE) Coach: Pavel Tuma 2021: 2 starts – 1 win – 1 placing Total winnings 2021 / career: 31.875 / 184.432 euros The now 9-year-old gelding was systematically trained by his team for the Grand Prix again this year. Successful in the big hunting race in Milan in the spring, he had to admit defeat to L'Estran again in a direct duel for the Creme Anglaise prize. Like his big competitor, he has a hard pace, jumps well and can handle long distances. Together with Jan Faltejsek he forms a well-coordinated team. Notti Magiche (ITA) Coach: Josef Vana Jun. 2021: 5 starts – 2 wins – 3 placings Total winnings 2021 / career: 47.770 / 335.861 euros The 11-year-old gelding has lost none of his class. After finishing 2nd in the Great Hunting Race in Milan in the spring, he confidently won the European Grand Prix in Merano before finishing in the Creme Anglaise Prize behind L'Estran and Northerly Wind. The horse always performs at its best in the Grand Prix and is a “miracle” of consistency. With Ondreij Velek in the saddle, he can also be expected to take a top spot on Sunday.

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Grand Prix in Meran: A short portrait of the starters

The 82nd Grand Prix of Merano is taking place this weekend. There is a short portrait of the 12 participants on s+.

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