We’ve been looking to add a Cheltenham Festival prospect to the team for some time and had a couple of near misses in the past couple of months, but we are delighted to have got a deal across the line for the highly-talented three year old hurdler from France, Becasse.
A really impressive winner at Fontainebleau on his latest outing, he had previously finished fifth in the prestigious Prix Finot at Auteuil and has been allotted an opening mark in the UK of 124, easily enough to get into the last three runnings of the Fred Winter. a race in which ex-French performers have historically done very well.
Looking further ahead, he has considerable scope to progress and is already schooled over a fence, so the plan would be to get all the allowances and go novice chasing as a four year old next season.
A strong, good-moving individual, this three year old son of Champion sire Yeats couldn’t have done it any better at Fontainebleau last time, having previously made his debut in a strong renewal of one of the big contests of the year for three year olds at Auteuil, the Prix Finot.
His only other run saw the saddle slip after the first hurdle, so essentially he has only had two career starts, but has nevertheless been given a confirmed mark of 124 by the handicapper.
Out of a half-sister to Listed-placed hurdler On My Command and from a family with plenty of back class on the flat, Yeats brings the requisite stamina to the page and with that, it is clear that Becasse is a very natural, fluent jumper. His previous trainer Noel George had the following to say in the press after the Fontainebleau success:
“He’s one that we hold in high regard, and for that reason with started him in the Prix Finot – that form was franked when the fourth (Lebandcarl) went close next time at Auteuil. Becasse hasn’t finished growing yet and he’ll strengthen up further”
THE PLAN
Becasse has just been kept ticking over since arriving in Ireland, but will leave his pre-trainer in early January to head to Henry de Bromhead’s yard.
The plan is to run once in early February and then be prepared for the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival. Looking further ahead, we would envisage a novice chase campaign next term, as he has already schooled very well over the larger obstacles!
He is such an exciting prospect and a fantastic addition to what is a cracking team of young horses for Pimlico Racing.
SHARE COSTS (final 5% available)
5%: €2,750 upfront then €140 a month from 1st January 2025
