Road Mix Tavel stormed clear impressively going away to score by eight lengths in the G3 Prix du Président de la République Handicap Steeplechase (4700m).

Eighteen runners commenced the journey for the feature jumping handicap event of the year. Early pace appeared to be a moderate tempo as the field negotiated the first left-handed turn entering the back straight with the winner settled in seventh, four lengths off the early leader, Black Boa.

Winning jockey, Dylan Salmon made a smart move onboard Road Mix Tavel manoeuvring the mare to the outside of the field at the water jump. She jumped it perfectly making up significant ground during the first circuit.

All horses were still standing as they came back into the home straight at halfway, but the group were well stretched out with twenty lengths between first and last passing the stands when heading into lap two.

Quickly the drama began to unfold on the final circuit as loose horses and the stamina began to kick in. The winner was still travelling and jumping well throughout, running in fifth. As they approached the big open ditch, Road Mix Tavel took third before the fence and with an excellent jump stole second. Her jumping continued to catch the eye down the back straight.

With many chances in the final 800m the class of Road Mix Tavel began to show turning for home as the seven-year-old mare jumped every obstacle in style and despite a loose horse hampering her finishing effort approaching the last fence, she showed a game attitude storming clear to win by eight lengths.

Trained by Daniela Mele the mare came into this feature race with mixed form. She enjoyed a successful 2021 when a good second in the course and distance G3 Prix Montgoméry Handicap Steeplechase (4700m) (the autumn equivalent race) last October however has fallen twice since. The daughter of Al Namix achieved a fourth career success and first Black Type victory. More notable for the 21-year-old winning jockey, Dylan Salmon it was his first triumph at Auteuil and first Group victory.