With Auteuil now in full swing for the Spring season, there are more key races this Sunday, featuring a Listed newcomers three-year-old only hurdle alongside two Group Two events. We preview the card. 

Auteuil spring Group racing will continue Sunday with the running of two black type trial races ahead of the inaugural weekend of Group One jumping action in five weeks.

For the hurdlers targeting the G1 Grand Course de Haies (5100m) many will have their final prep race in the G2 Prix Leon Lambaud, run over 4300m. L'Autonomie is the standout horse engaged. This Francois Nicolle seven-year-old mare has an outstanding record of seventeen wins from twenty-three race starts including multiple races at G1 level. She has won the past two renewals of this race, last year by eight lengths as a prelude to success in the G1 Grand Course de Haies (5100m), four weeks later where she defeated many of her reopposing rivals scoring in the big one by 30 lengths. She is being aimed at completing the double again. Her nemesis has always been Galop Marin trained by Dominic Bressou and raced by prominent jumping connections, the Papot family. Last November he was able to beat L'Autonomie in the autumn G1 Prix de Automne (a race named after her dam). If there is a genuine danger to L'Autonome it is Galop Marin.

On paper, these two-stand clear of rivals. The surprise in the race could be Theleme, a five-year-old dual G1 winner as both a three and four-year-old in the age restricted features however, L'Aotonomie beat him at their only meeting last start by 5.5L in a G3 and they meet on the same weight terms.

The G2 Prix Jean Stern Steeplechase (4400m) for four-year-old chasers features the outstanding progressive Latino des Isles, winner of four of six steeplechase races to date and all at his past four starts. He has progressed from a Listed win in October to a G2 victory over the Festival weekend three weeks later by 20L. This season Latino des Isles is two starts for two G3 successes. He is trained by Arnaud Chaille-Chaille. Francois Nicolle prepares a promising filly named La Manigance. Two steeplechase starts for two wins, last time in a Listed contest at the end of March. Sans Bruit won a G2 in October and can come on from a seasonal reappearance victory in a well-placed Conditions race at Auteuil in March by 7L.

This Auteuil meeting is complimented with competitive Handicaps for the older steeplechasers and four-year-old hurdlers.