Kyrov provides Dark Angel with rare jumps highlight in Prix Cambaceres

Dark Angel is not normally associated with jumps runners, but Christmas Hurdle winner Silver Streak has flown the flag for him in recent years and now the Yeomanstown sire looks to have another high-class National Hunt performer in Group 1 Prix Cambaceres winner Kyrov.

Bred by Haras du Cadran's Pierre Talvard, the three-year-old was very much bred for the Flat, being the eighth foal out of the Lomitas mare Varsity, and therefore a half-brother to UAE Group 3 scorer Gm Hopkins and the stakes-placed Zvarkhova.

The gelding has quickly shown an aptitude for hurdling, having won his last three starts for Francois Nicolle, and he swiftly pulled nine lengths clear of the field in the three-year-old hurdle contest at Auteuil on Sunday.

Owned by Alain Jathiere, Kyrov started out with Jean-Claude Rouget but failed to make the track for the leading trainer.

His owner is better known for having Group-winning Flat performers such as Prix de Sandringham scorer Miss Extra and Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte winner Plainchant, although he has also owned Listed-winning chaser I'm Walkin' and high-class hurdler Tango Lima.

Talvard said: "Don't ask me to explain the mating because I can't. I certainly had Longchamp in mind rather than Auteuil. He could barely put one foot in front of another when he was with Jean-Claude Rouget.

"I'm happy for the owner, who puts a lot into racing. I was calm watching the race because he looked the winner at every stage throughout. He was perfect."

Dark Angel is also responsible for classy jumps performers such as Grade 3 Caspian Caviar Gold Cup Handicap Chase scorer Guitar Pete and Saturday's Grade 2 Elite Hurdle runner-up Teqany.

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