Grand Bornand and Paul Townend clear the last© Photo Healy Racing
The 11/10 favourite Grand Bornand landed the TRI Equestrian Maiden Hurdle (Div I) in good style, tracking the leaders before hitting the front travelling well on the run to the final flight.
In a second-time hood, the grey son of Montmartre skipped over the last before readily accounting for Gee Rex (7/2) by four and three quarter lengths. The front-running Buddy Rich came in third at 9/4.
A winner of his only start in France when taking an AQPS flat race in 2019, Susannah Ricci’s 5-year-old had been a beaten favourite in his first two hurdle starts for Willie Mullins but, in fairness to him, he had bumped into smart sorts in the shape of Thedevilscoachman and Grand Paradis in those races.
“He's starting to do things right now,” said winning rider Paul Townend.
“The form the last day worked out okay. He's settling much better, and jumping much better, than on his first runs so he's growing up and he's learning on the job.”
When asked if he thought better ground was a help he responded “It definitely didn't inconvenience him anyway. He'll handle nice ground.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
