Champion Hurdle-third wins on chase debut

Gigginstown House Stud’s Irish Champion Hurdle winner Petit Mouchoir made a very pleasing winning chase debut in the Coral.ie Bet & Watch Beginners Chase at Punchestown today, when easily scoring for trainer Henry De Bromhead and jockey Davy Russell

The dual Grade 1 winning grey son of Al Namix was last seen in action when finishing third in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and today, having his first start under jockey Russell, jumped well, apart from a minor error at the final fence, when making all to beat Brelade comfortably.

Afterwards a delighted De Bromhead said “Davy gave him a super ride and we can breathe a sigh of relief. It's what you hope he would go out and do and he's done that and I'm delighted.

"He'd been schooling really well but until you see it on the track you are always a bit anxious but he looked great there. He's clever, and he could come back here for the Grade 2 (Craddockstown Novice on November 19). We'll see what everyone wants to do but that would look a nice race for him.

"He's always worked really well but physically he's probably filled out more, and he ran a bit heavier here today."

Petit Mouchoir 👍 @punchestownrace pic.twitter.com/kKkCflbl5o

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 18, 2017

Paddy Power bookmaker later cut his price for the Arkle Chase next March to 8/1 favourite, from 12/1.

Quotes from Alan Magee