Phil Kirby heads to Auteuil with Top Ville Ben for belated start to season

Top Ville Ben and Espoir De Teillee will both be trading fences for smaller obstacles when taking on a trio of France's best hurdlers in the Grade 2 Prix Leon Rambaud over 2m5½f at Auteuil on Sunday (4.00).

Phil Kirby will be attempting to make up for lost time with Top Ville Ben, who suffered a hairline fracture just before his intended comeback in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in the autumn.

"It's cost him the whole season really and we tried to get him back for Aintree but it started to dry up a little bit for him so we looked for an alternative," said Kirby. "We didn't really want to put him away when he was ready to run and I think it will be a benefit with a view to next year, rather than coming back after 500 days.

"He's been kept on the go and it was just a hold up which meant six weeks box rest. It was just at the wrong time of the year and the ground should be easier compared to home. We'll see where we are with him and if he shows up well we're not desperate to put him away."

Espoir Du Teillee (nearside) will be on Grade 2 duty for Tom George and James Reveley at Auteuil on SundayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Tom George has enjoyed a profitable spell with runners going in and out of a temporary base in Chantilly, overseen by his son Noel, and the trainer is well aware of what is required to be successful at Auteuil.

"We'd run out of options with him in England and he's progressed really well and I feel he's on an upward curve," said George. "I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up in Graded company over fences in England next year.

"We thought we'd dip our toe in the water against some of the better horses in France. I've got a pretty good idea where we are with most of the horses we're running here but he's slightly unknown so why not give it a try? We'll see if it opens up more options."

Neither of the visitors are likely to be on the radar of local punters, who are unlikely to have eyes for any horse other than the Francois Nicolle-trained L'Autonomie.

The six-year-old mare was twice beaten over trips around three miles last autumn, but she resumed her winning ways when defeating Galop Marin in the Prix Hypothese last month.

Those two old rivals reoppose, while Paul's Saga for David Cottin and the second Nicolle runner, Polirico, add considerable depth to this €155,000 contest.

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