Impressive Full Jack bolts up in French Grand National

Full Jack (Marcel Rolland/Alexis Acker) finished full of running to claim France’s version of the Grand National — the Group 3 Prix du President de la Republique at Auteuil yesterday.

Many observers might have assumed that Rolland had lost his chance of a fourth success in the country’s richest handicap when second-favourite Mukonzi Has was an early faller but Full Jack moved effortlessly onto the heels of leader Monetaire between the final two fences before bounding clear to score by five lengths.

“He’s a horse who always gives his running and he was given a great ride,” said Rolland, referring to the cool efforts of 27-year-old Acker, who was riding in the race for the first time. “Going up in trip on drying ground was also key to him today,” continued Rolland, who last won this race 15 years ago with Chant Royal.