THE only two Grade 1 races of this strange Covid-ravaged spring jumps season took place at Compiegne last Saturday.

Both were restricted to four-year-olds and while one, a two-mile, three-furlong hurdle, was won by Guillaume Macaire for the third time in four years, the other, a two-mile, six-furlong and 110-yard chase, witnessed a first ever top-level success for trainer Gabriel Leenders.