Neville Hotels Novice Chase (Grade 1)

GAILLARD Du Mesnil finally enjoyed his day in the sun over fences with an easy victory in this Grade 1 contest.

Although winless in six previous outings over the larger obstacles, the dual Grade 1-winning hurdler had never finished out of the first three and has been placed three times at the highest level.

With his Drinmore conqueror Mighty Potter a non-runner, Gaillard Du Mesnil was the 5/6 favourite to open his chasing account and ultimately did so in fine style in a race marred by fatal injuries suffered by both Unexpected Depth and Three Stripe Life.

Amirite also unseated Rachael Blackmore, but Gaillard Du Mesnil managed to keep himself out of trouble under a patient ride before pulling seven and a half lengths clear of Churchstonewarrior to provide Willie Mullins and Paul Townend with yet another Grade 1 success this week.

“He had the experience and 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.

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

“He deserved a crack at two and a half (miles) last time, though it was a little bit short for him. He probably learned a lot going that pace. All that experience counts for a day like today.”

Townend added: “I was very pleased with him but everything was in his favour today. He had the experience, the ground suited, he had a recent run and the three-mile trip was ideal. It would have been disappointing if he couldn’t win today.”

Mullins indicated that Gaillard Du Mesnil would return to Leopardstown for the Dublin Racing Festival and only after that would a decision be made on whether the horse goes for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase over three miles or the longer National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham.