Mullins Pair Beaten In France

The Willie Mullins-trained J´y Vole and Financial Reward could not repeat their French heroics of last month as they were both well beaten in the Grade One Prix Alain du Breil at Auteuil.

The Irish raiders, who were first and second respectively over course and distance last time, were held up towards the rear in the early stages of the two-and-a-half-mile contest but failed to make any real impression.

At the business end, Thierry Doumen´s Good Bye Simon, whose juvenile campaign included a victory in a Grade One event at Chepstow and a second to Triumph Hurdle hero Katchit at Cheltenham, repelled the late challenge of Big Buck´s to land the spoils in determined fashion.

Doumen said of the JP McManus-owned winner: 'We were very confident, the horse has never let us down. He is a very good horse.'

Mullins was again out of luck in the Grande Course de Haies d´Auteuil (French Champion Hurdle) as his two runners Alexander Taipan and Clear Riposte could finish no nearer than seventh and ninth.

Irish owner Sean Mulryan´s colours were carried to glory in the Grade One event as Zaiyad ran out a very impressive winner in the hands of Jacques Ricou.

The six-year-old, who has made little impression on his two starts in Britain, was always travelling strongly in the midfield and cruised up to take the lead on the turn for home in the three-mile-one-furlong contest.

Arnaud Chaille-Chaille´s charge careered away in the straight and was well clear of runner-up Mister Gyor at the line.

Chaille-Chaille said: 'He disappointed last time out, but we understood the reasons why and I was very confident this time.'

(C) PA Sport