Pau's Winter Finale!

Pau hosts their biggest meeting of the season with multiple Listed contests all being part of a twelve-race marathon card. The main race is the Grand Cross de Pau over the cross-country fences and marathon 6300m distance. Other highlights include the Prix Antoine de Palaminy Steeplechase over 3900m, the Grande Course de Haies de Pau (4100m) and the Prix Camille Duboscq Hurdle (3500m).  

Course experience will be essential in the Listed Grand Cross de Pau (6300m) and Thatsmyseat has a strong record over course and distance. She has won once and placed three times from five attempts tackling these conditions and been in good order with placings on her past two outings. The seven-year-old mare also boasts a solid cross-country record with seven top three finishes from eight runs. 
  
Hemevoici may not hold the same cross-country record, but his recent form is useful. He finished a good fifth in the Listed Grand Steeple-Chase-Cross-Country de Compiegne in November and since secured a win at Craon. Ellie'Star was aiming for a fourth consecutive success when unseating at Pau. Her previous three victories came at a lower grade but the nine-year-old has won nine times in the cross-country sphere. 

Over the traditional steeplechase fences, many hold chances in the Listed Prix Antoine de Palaminy Steeplechase (3900m). Juste Milieu finished ahead of subsequent winner Athena du Luy and re-opposing Best Path in a Class One conditions contest over course and distance in early January. He is expected to make a smooth transition into Black Type company and can secure the win. 
  
Athena du Luy continues to progress since her fall tackling a Listed contest at Auteuil in December and had Bel Amigo and Vision du Rheu behind her when scoring over track and trip. She may need to find improvement to reverse form with Juste Milieu but definitely holds leading claims. King To Be lacks experience after three starts. He secured his maiden win switching to fences last start and cannot be ruled out with further improvement to come. 
  
The Listed Grande Course de Haies de Pau (4100m) has attracted a large and competitive field for the €82,000 prize. Runners at this stage include hat-trick seekers Glorice and Inside Montlioux and Group performer Kyrov. 
  
The four-year-olds are on show in the Listed Prix Camille Duboscq Hurdle (3500m). Fedor Rosay heads the field with a perfect three-from-three record over hurdles including a 3L success in the Listed Prix Andre Massena Grande Course de Haies des 4 Ans at Cagnes-sur-Mer. He will have a small weight penalty to carry. Athena du Ley is entered and would be the main opposition for Fedor Rosay if diverting to this race from the Listed Prix Antoine de Palaminy Steeplechase. 
  
Another four jump events and four flat contests make up the marathon card on Sunday at Pau, on what should be a great meeting to conclude the track's Winter season.