Uhlan du Val and Vulcain de Vandel have won the Prix de Belgique and the Prix Ténor de Baune respectively, which means both horses have now qualified for the Prix d’Amérique Opodo 2015.
Uhlan du Val (photo) has been a top-level player on the scene for the past two seasons and he put in a remarkable performance to win the last of the inter-generation prep races, the Prix de Belgique. The seven-year-old French trotter was unplaced in the Prix de Bretagne, second in the Prix du Bourbonnais and then plagued with bad luck in the Prix de Bourgogne, but as soon as he took the lead at 2000m from the finishing line on Sunday, he completely dominated the race. He came 6th in last year’s Prix d’Amérique and will be one of the most prominent contenders this year: his faultless physical condition and his now considerable experience will no doubt strengthen his chances.
On the other hand, it will be a first for Vulcain de Vandel. He won the Prix Ténor de Baune, which gives its winner an entrance ticket for the big race on January 25th. Franck Nivard’s protégé fulfilled his mission, gaining the upper hand over his fellow 6-year-old competitors in an intense final kilometre of the race. Although very highly valued by his trainer, Vulcain de Vandel has not quite had the career his entourage were hoping for up until now but he will have a great opportunity to showcase his talent in two weeks’ time when he competes in the top event on the French trotting racing calendar. His driver Franck Nivard, who is a triple-winner of the Prix d’Amérique (Meaulnes du Corta -2009-, Ready Cash -2011 et 2012)will be helping him in his bid.
