Pipe wary of Mullins' French raiders David Pipe fears Willie Mullins' stars in the French Champion Hurdle could threaten his grand plan for Ballynagour. The Nicholashayne trainer believes Ireland's champion trainer may look to run top-class performers such as Hurricane Fly and Annie Power in the Auteuil showpiece, titled the Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil. However, that is unlikely to stop Pipe eyeing a return visit to Paris for Ballynagour following his victory in the Prix la Barka at Auteuil on Sunday when the nine-year-old had Val De Ferbet from the Mullins stable back in second place. Ballynagour could be joined in the French Champion Hurdle next month by stablemate Un Temps Pour Tout. "Ballynagour ran out a most impressive winner of the Prix la Barka - the main trial for the French Champion Hurdle in three weeks' time," he tsaid. "In beating Willie Mullins' Val De Ferbet and the best hurdlers that France could throw at him, he proved himself a leading contender for the big one itself. "He has travelled well and is home safe and sound and providing he continues to please me in the coming days, I see no reason why he should not take his chance. "Of course the Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil (French Champion Hurdle) will be tougher again, with the likes of Hurricane Fly and Annie Power possible runners from the Mullins battalion, but he more than deserves his place in the line-up. "We could also have another string to our bow with Aintree third (in the Stayers' Hurdle) Un Temps Pour Tout also an intended runner."
