Ground key to Un De Sceaux's Auteuil hopes Connections of Un De Sceaux are hoping the return to soft ground enables their pride and joy to return to winning ways in today's Prix La Barka at Auteuil. The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old had won each of his 14 completed starts before coming off second best to Sprinter Sacre in his two latest starts at Cheltenham and Sandown. Bought from France, where he won his first two races, he has also scored twice at Auteuil since joining Mullins. Those wins came over an extended two miles and three furlongs, but he has another two furlongs to tackle this time, not to mention Simonsig, another horse trained by Nicky Henderson who has bounced back after his career appeared to be over. "It looks a very hot race with Simonsig, Al Ferof and a few others from home," said part-owner Colm O'Connell. "Still, on soft ground we know ours is a serious horse. " In a way Sandown made it clear for us. If we'd beaten Sprinter Sacre there, we'd have been building next year around going to Cheltenham (for the Queen Mother) again, but t he fact we've met Sprinter Sacre twice on good ground and been put in our place twice, we have no excuses. He's the better horse. "Running over this trip is an experiment. If he stays we'll have all sorts of options for next season and we're hoping to pick up lots of prize-money to help us buy the next Un De Sceaux. "He's still fit, has been working well and people had mentioned to us about sending him back hurdling, so these little fences should suit. " We'd like to end the season on a high and then next year we'll box clever with him. "Sandown was just about the most enjoyable day on a racecourse I've ever had. At Cheltenham there is so much pressure I can't enjoy it that much. "The whole Sprinter Sacre story was incredible, but I did tell Mr Henderson enough was enough - I can't be having him bringing back any more horses to beat us! " The last time we got our ground was Ascot and he was really impressive so on similar ground I'm hoping for the same - if he stays the trip." Mullins also runs the veteran Thousand Stars, who is a standing dish in this race.
