Jump into February!

The Grand Prix de Pau Steeplechase (G3) is the feature race on Sunday's card at Pau. The 5300m event has been a fixture on the racing calendar since 1887 and tends to attract a large competitive field. 
  
This year's renewal will see likely favourite Eddy de Balme aim to retain his unbeaten place record over course and distance (2/2). The Francois Nicolle-trained nine-year-old has shown mixed form in recent months with two falls from his past three runs. He bounced back to better order with a good second at Auteuil in the Prix Georges Courtois (G2).  
  
Stablemate Raffles Face has been given a steady start to the season with a win and a placing among conditions company. He was racing at Graded level during 2021 and won the Prix Questarabad (G3) over 3900m at Auteuil. The six-year-old can play a major role returning to a higher level. 

La Danza has won four times over steeplechase fences and provided a good level of form in Graded company in recent months. Her third in the Listed Prix Bernard de Dufau would put her in the mix.  
  
Youtwo Glass was the winner that day and has shown excellent form at this track with four wins and a placing from five attempts. He remains completely unexposed over this distance which would be the only concern for the six-year-old.  

Metasequoia was third in the Listed Prix Bernard de Dufau and is generally unexposed at Graded level. However, he was second in the Prix Fleuret (G3) at Auteuil in 2021 and seems capable when tried at a higher grade. 

• Course and distance – Eddy de Balme is the only horse in the field to have placed over course and distance (2/2). He is one of two in the field that have tried these conditions (Hispanic Moon  being the other horse).  
• Pau – Youtwo Glass and Gallox boast the best record at the winter southern circuit with four wins and one placing apiece. They are closely following by Hispanic Moon who scored three times and placed three times from seven attempts.  
• Steeplechase – Youtwo Glass holds the best steeplechase place record with 86%, closely followed by Metsequoia with 83%.  
• 2023 – Eight of the ten horses who have already run once in 2023 have placed. Youtwo Glass , Gallox and Havanea won their first start of the year.