Draconien downs the opposition to be Linda's Lad's first Grade 1 winner

Draconien became a first Grade 1 winner over jumps for his sire Linda's Lad when running out an impressive winner of the Herald Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown on Tuesday.

Following the leaders as the field turned for home, Draconien soon moved through to lay down his challenge for the lead. Once over the last he hit another gear to pull clear and beat Vision Des Flos by two and a quarter lengths.

The five-year-old was bred by Anne Lagache, Yohann Gourraud and Jean-Marc Baudrelle out of the placed Useful mare Holding and is a half-brother to five winners including Bol D'Air, Nasthazya and Vroum. This is the family of Graded chase winners Benefique and Bebe Star, and Listed-winning hurdler Veinard De Ballon.

Draconien began his career in France with Gourraud before being sourced to join Willie Mullins' ranks for whom he has run five times and won twice.

Linda's Lad, a 15-year-old son of Sadler's Wells, was trained by Andre Fabre to win four races including the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, the Group 3 Prix de Conde and the Group 3 Derby Trial Stakes.

He began his stud career at Haras de Grandcamp in France where he spent six seasons before moving to his current base at Vauterhill Stud in North Devon. Linda's Lad is also the sire of the winners La Paimpolaise and Tout Est Parmis.