Oh Jackie interrupted the stranglehold last year but Garde Champetre gave Enda Bolger his eleventh La Touche Cup in twelve runnings when he retained his unbeaten record when Nina Carberry is aboard him in cross-country events (six out of six between here and Cheltenham).

A 530,000 guineas purchase at Doncaster back in 2004, the French-bred son of Garde Royale is twice a winner at the Cheltenham Festival in March and he had to miss last year's La Touche on account of the ground. However he did score at the Irish National Hunt Festival a couple of days later in the Ellen Construction Chase.

Bolger said: "I thought he was under the cosh a bit three out but he showed his class. J P is watching at home in Martinstown and the party is probably starting now. Hopefully it'll be the same again for next year. That's the plan anyway."