THERE was no luck for any of the Irish raiders in the Grade 1s in Auteuil at the weekend.

On Saturday, Willie Mullins saddled Stratum in the Grade 1 Grand Prix d’Automne Hurdle

The home side were well represented by top class mare L’Autonomie, the favourite Hermès Baie and the new star Thélème (Sidestep), who beat them both last time.

Held up at the rear until the last turn, Thélème, ridden by Pierre Dubourg, held off Hermès Baie, who always travelled in the leading group. L’Autonomie led for most of the race but made a bad mistake at the second last, recovered and finished a brave third on what would be her last race. It was a third Grade 1 success for Thélème, trained by Andre Chaille-Chaille for James Gordon’s JDG Bloodstock Services.

Stratum was seventh of the eight, well out of contention from before the home turn.

On Sunday, Emmet Mullins was represented by recent Grade 2 winner Mctigue in the €250,000 Grade 1 Prix Cambacérès - Grande Course de Haies des 3yo (Hurdle) over two miles, two furlongs but this time the horse he beat in that contest got his revenge in decisive style.

The favourite, St Donats (Saint Des Saints), took revenge as McTigue and Donagh Meyler faded to finish only sixth after staying to the far side on the run-in.

Trained by Hugo Mérienne for English owner William John Williams, the winning gelding led all the way and moved forward on the final turn and up the stands side, he won by 11 lengths ahead of Not Too Bad and Bolero.

Franco De Port and James Reveley went off favourite for the Grade 1 Prix la Haye Jousselin (Chase) and were in touch for a long way in the three-mile–three-furlong contest.

However, the seven-year-old couldn’t sustain his effort in the final stages after briefly moving forward going into the last turn.

The race did not attract some of the top French chasers in the Grand Steeple one-two, Sel Jem and Jex, nor Docteur de Ballon though Poly Grandchamp was last year’s winner.

It was one of the favourites, Figuero (Yeats) who returned to form, three years after his Grade 1 Prix Maurice Gillois 4yo Chase victory, winning by three lengths from Grandeur Nature, half a length in front of Poly Grandchamp.

Figuero races for Jacques Détré, his breeder Thierry Cyprès and his trainer François Nicolle.

The remaining Grade 1 – the Prix Maurice Gillois - Grand Steeple-Chase des 4yo (Chase) went to the James Reveley ridden Gessy Raiselle who beat the favourite Diamond Carl by eight lengths for trainer David Cottin.

The Listed Prix Fondeur (Chase) over two miles and six went to one of the rising stars on the French scene in the five-year-old Spes Militurf who justified favouritism by five lengths.