The Le Defi Des Haras – Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris this is the only graded race in France run over three miles five furlongs each year, and for this edition, it was run on very soft going. It was always going to be a searching test for some, and so it turned out with the field strung out as the winner crossed the line.

Race favourite Gran Diose, won this race by a neck last year for Louisa Carberry and went to the race proven over the journey and having beaten many of his rivals. He was expected to make a bold attempt to double up, arriving here after victory over a mile shorter here in the key trial race, the Grand Steeple-Chase Masters Prix Ingre last month.

As the race unfolded, the favourite looked a reluctant early leader with no other rival seemingly willing to make the running. However, the sedate early pace soon saw Goliath Du Rheu sent forward under Angelo Zuliani to take them along at his own speed, and although the others were left in his wake, he never really got away from the field by more than a few lengths, with many biding their time to mount a late challenge.

Three fences from home, it was Kolokiko with James Reveley in the saddle who made a bold move for victory and sent a couple of lengths clear, looking to catch his rivals out with an early move.

Eventual winner Diamond Carl, ridden by Clement Léfebrve (who rode Gran Diose to success last season) covered the manoeuvre with the minimum of effort, and after joining his rival at the last fence, he ran on strongly to come home six lengths clear at the line. Last season's runner-up Grandeur Nature stayed on strongly - if too late - to finish a further eight and a half lengths behind in third.

For leading French trainer François Nicolle this was one of the few races missing from his trophy cabinet, and following the race, he expressed his delight at landing France's €900,000 feature steeplechase contest:

"It's a very strong race, and very difficult to win a race like this. A good trainer, good jockey, good horse and good staff, and a little bit of luck is needed. Today we had everything. We are very happy. He was always a champion. He won some very good races at four years old, then he had an issue with his tendon, so the owners had to wait a very long time. I think he will be back next year."

Diamond Carl has now won eight from twelve steeplechase starts and had previously finished second in the Gr.1 Prix Maurice Gillois - Grand Steeple-Chase des 4 ans in 2022.