Petit impresses in Ryanair Hurdle

Petit Mouchoir ran out an impressive winner of the Grade 1 Ryanair Hurdle, with the odds-on favourite Nichols Canyon back in second.

Trained by Willie Mullins last season, the son of Al Namix made his debut for Henry De Bromhead at Down Royal in November, finishing a close up third to Rashaan and Apple's Jade.

He then fell at the third last when travelling strongly in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle last month.

As short as 11/4 in early shows, the Gigginstown House Stud owned five-year-old proved easy to back today, opening on-course at 9/2 before going off a 6/1 chance.

In a share of the lead early on, he was sent on by Bryan Cooper after the first. Nichols Canyon closed on him before two out, but he kicked on again after that flight, and stretched clear before the last, going on to score easily by seven lengths.

Nichols Canyon, who went off the 2/5 favourite, had to settle for second under Ruby Walsh for Willie Mullins, while Ivanovich Gorbatov was two and a quarter lengths back in third under Davy Russell for Joseph O'Brien.

De Bromhead said afterwards: "It was a amazing. He gave him some ride. It was brilliant and he jumped deadly.

"It's lovely when it works out. It's been a frustrating few days now but that's made up for it all. It's great.

"We haven't had a bad week and have had a few winners but just not here so it's been a bit trying.

"I never expect anything like that - I'm miserable! I was hoping he'd run well. He looked to be going very well in Newcastle when he fell but you never know.

"Bryan was fuming, obviously, that it happened and he was adamant that he would have won, but this was another step up.

"Just to go and do what he did it reminds me of a horse (Sizing Europe) a few years ago that we had that did something like that.

"It was similar the way he travelled. He is just a galloping horse. He lobbed away and just has a big galloping stride.

"Funny he's slow at home if you worked him over a short distance.

"He winged his hurdles today so hopefully he learned his lesson from Newcastle.

"I'll speak to Eddie and Michael but I think we have every right to consider the Champion Hurdle.

"He hasn't had a hard season thus far so the Irish Champion Hurdle might be a plan. I'll have to speak to the lads.

"He was a good horse last year and had some great runs at the back end. He's tough. Bar Newcastle with the fall he's done nothing wrong with us.

"He's a lovely horse to do anything with and I'm just delighted to see him go and do that. I'm just blown away."

It was the first time Michael O'Leary (of Gigginstown House Stud and Ryanair) managed to win this race, since Ryanair took over sponsorship in 2013.

Wow! Petit Mouchoir blitzes his rivals from the front in a fine performance to win the Ryanair Hurdle at @LeopardstownRC: pic.twitter.com/6fzk9zhSDY

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 29, 2016

Petit Mouchoir is now 10/1 from 20's with Paddy Power for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson