Three of the best for Auteuil on Saturday

A busy Spring and Summer schedule at Auteuil gets underway with a high-class fixture on Saturday afternoon, with some horses that may be seen in better company in the coming weeks putting reputations on the line.

The Racing Post’s Justin O’Hanlon gives his three picks for Saturday.

Nimes (Prix Go Ahead)

Trainer Guillaume Macaire looks to have a particularly strong hand in this early Listed contest for juvenile hurdlers. The promising Yes Indeed will have his supporters, but despite giving weight all-round, his stable companion Nimes looks the one to beat. This colt by Saints Des Saints could not really have made a better start to his hurdling career when an impressive and dominant winner of a juvenile maiden hurdle at Compiegne two weeks ago under today’s pilot James Reveley, and he looks like a youngster that should be capable of taking this step up in grade in his stride.

Figuero (Prix Murat)

This exciting young chaser looks set to return to Grade 1 company in the near future and can maintain his winning streak here. He was an improving four-year-old at the end of last year, winning the Grade 1 Prix Maurice Gillois at this venue in November, and warmed up for this assignment with a facile success in a 2m2f conditions contest at this venue in early March. He can complete the four-timer in style here en route to better things.

Zialight (Prix d’Arles)

A competitive field of 13 go to post for this contest confined to fillies and mares, and it might just be worth taking a chance here with the unexposed Zialight from the stable of Gabriel Leenders.
Winner on her debut in a conditions contest at Pau in January, she put up a better performance when only just held off by another progressive mare in Garance Forever on heavy ground here two weeks ago.
She gets a handy weight allowance here, looks to be an improving filly, and it would be no surprise should she put in a big display here.