Auteuil stages a quality eight race programme on Saturday afternoon which features three Graded races. Grade 1 winner, Sain d'Esprit will be bidding for a fourth course success.

Sain d'Esprit (François Nicolle / Angelo Zuliani)

Auteuil – Race 2 - Prix de Maisons-Laffitte Hurdle (Grade 3)

• Trainer, François Nicolle has an excellent record in the race, winning four out of the last six renewals including with superstars L'Autonomie, Hermès Baie and last year with Kingland.
• Four-year-old who is already a Grade 1 winner, having landed the G1 Prix Cambaceres - Grande Course de Haies des 3 Ans last November

Sain d'Esprit enjoyed an excellent three-year-old season last year, starting with a debut success at Auteuil in April 2024. The son of Cokoriko had a five-month break before a close second in Listed company before filling the same position last October tackling the Grade 2 Prix Georges de Talhouet-Roy Hurdle with the winner that day, Kivala du Berlais scoring in this year's Grade 1 Prix Alain du Breil - Course de Haies de Printemps des Quatre ans since. The gelding continued to improve and recorded a narrow victory at the top level, landing the course and distance G1 Prix Cambaceres last November.

Trained by François Nicolle, the four-year-old returned with an easy six length success during March, again over this track and journey in the Grade 3 Prix d'Indy Hurdle. He is three from five in his career with an eye-catching profile and is proven in Grade 1 company. This looks an ideal opportunity after another break and bigger targets look likely this campaign.