Gaillard Du Mesnil sheds maiden tag in style

Gaillard Du Mesnil showed an abundance of stamina when staying on best to land the Grade 1 Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

Although a maiden over fences before today, it was in name only, as the Willie Mullins-trained grey had been placed three times in Grade 1 chases, as well as finishing a gallant third under topweight in an Irish Grand National.

This afternoon, in an incident packed race, the Joe Donnelly-owned six-year-old led into the home straight before keeping on strongly under Paul Townend to repel the challenge of runner up Churchstonewarrior

“He had the experience, he had the rating, he was still a maiden but we had kept him to good class company all the time and he got his experience against that type of company,” said Mullins.

“Paul said he just flew fences down the back for him. They went very fast and he was even taken off it a bit early on but the pace up front took it's toll and they paid the penalty.

“He just glided into the race down the outside, kept out of trouble and kept away from the loose horse the best he could. He just kept jumping and landed in front.

“He deserved a crack at that trip (last time) though it was a little bit short for him. He probably learned a lot going that pace over two-miles-three.

“All that experience counts for a day like today.”

Paddy Powers cut the winner from 9/4f to 6/4f for the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, while also shortening him from 10/1 into 6/1 for the Brown Advisory.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson