Garde La Victoire pleases on reappearance at Auteuil

Garde La Victoire made a fine seasonal reappearance over hurdles in the unusual surroundings of Auteuil on his first start since finishing eighth in last season's Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Richard Johnson had Grahame and Diana Whateley's eight-year-old in the leading group of four throughout the Prix Listed Claude Le Lorrain and battled all the way to the line, finishing two lengths behind the talented Azucardel.

"He was a little bit careful at the first few hurdles but after that he was much better," said trainer Philip Hobbs. "I'm sure he will come on for that and experience round here will help so we might be back. What we have in mind is the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter, which he nearly won last year."

Hobbs confirmed Triumph Hurdle hero Defi Du Seuil would get his campaign underway in the Listed Masterson Holdings Hurdle at Cheltenham's Showcase meeting on October 28.

Ayr card transferred to hurdles course

Ayr's Flat meeting next Thursday has been transferred to the hurdles course.

Five of the six races originally scheduled for the day have been cancelled with new races put on in their place. The 1m5f handicap has been retained while the safety factor is down to 14.

Last month's Ayr Gold Cup meeting was abandoned due to an area of the course being waterlogged.

McCoy to speak at One-Zero event

Twenty-time champion jockey Sir Anthony McCoy has been announced as the latest keynote speaker for the popular One-Zero event at Croke Park on October 17.

McCoy, who is set to be interviewed by Paddy Power at the event, said: “As a sports fan I enjoy talking about sport – whether that’s races or matches.

“There are always thousands of different perspectives and I think that’s the beauty of sport; we all experience it differently. It will be great to share my experiences at Croke Park and to hear the different perspectives on the changing world of sport.”

Paddy Power added: “AP McCoy is one of the greatest sportsmen ever and it’s an honour to get the opportunity to pick his brains, even though I’ll feel very inadequate by the end of the session!

“I know he’s incredibly driven, but I want to know why and how he could keep his hunger to be champion jockey for 20 consecutive years. Besides, he cost us bookies a fortune over the years so I can’t wait to get my hands on him!”