The French came strong in force on the opening day of the Saut Hermès in the Grand Palais, with Julien Epaillard and Patrice Delaveau winning the five-star classes. 

Epaillard won the biggest class of the day, the 1.50m Prix Hermès Sellier, riding the 11-year-old gelding Usual Suspect d´Auge (Jarnac x Papillon Rouge) to the blistering fast time of 58.16 in this competition against the clock. 

Over three seconds behind Epaillard followed Mark McAuley (IRL) on Miebello (Flyinge Quite Easy 958 x Cardento 933), with the time of 61.85. The third place went to Roger Yves Bost (FRA) on Vino d´Espinet (Elan de la Cour*HN x Le Tot de Semilly) in 62.33 seconds. 

Earlier in the day, Delaveau went to the top of the 1.45m two-phase Prix du Grand Palais. Riding the 10-year-old Vestale de Mazure HDC (Landor S x Quidam de Revel), Delaveau stopped the clock at 30.89 in the second phase. The top five was filled by the home riders with Simon Delestre in second, Guillaume Foutrier in third, Edward Levy in fourth and Philippe Rozier in fifth.