French Made leads her rivals away from the last© Photo Healy Racing
French Made over turned Triumph Hurdle form, as she just prevailed in the Grade 2 Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Juvenile Hurdle.
Eighth in the Triumph, with Coeur Sublime and Gardens Of Babylon in second and third, the Willie Mullins trained bay was the only filly in the line-up today.
Having opened on-course at 8/1, she eventually went off a 6/1 chance under Ruby Walsh in the colours of the executors of the late Margaret McManus.
After jumping two out in a share of the lead with Coeur Sublime, she quickly sprinted clear of that rival approaching the last.
However Gardens Of Babylon then threw down the challenge on the run-in, with a diminishing half a length separating them at the line.
Mark Walsh was aboard the runner-up for Joseph O'Brien, with this one returned at 5/2. Coeur Sublime was the 9/4 favourite, and he faded tamely after two out, eventually finishing third.
"I was hoping that we might get her placed today," said Mullins.
"Chatting to Ruby before the race we both thought she stayed and I said 'if you can get her to jump over the first few hurdles and be up there in the first three'.
"Her form in France showed that she was always staying on and it looked like she wanted a further trip.
"That was the plan and we were hoping she'd stay on to be third or fourth but she stayed on to win.
"There is not a lot of her, she's skin and bones, but that's the way she is. When she came from France she was like that and I've been kind of trying to train her but not to train her. I've been trying to keep her together.
"She's tough and obviously doesn't need a lot of training because she's just naturally fit I'd say.
"That opens a lot of doors. We'll look at Punchestown and she's one that will definitely go back to France for the meetings in May and June.
"I'd say the ground has to be a help because she's not a strong mare but she's very, very fit and very tough as she showed today.
"I'd say she'll go to Punchestown as she hasn't had a hard season this year."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
