Petit Mouchoir heads Arkle market after smart chase debut

High-class hurdler Petit Mouchoir confirmed himself a leading Racing Post Arkle contender with an impressive debut victory over fences at Punchestown on Wednesday for Henry de Bromhead and Davy Russell.

Petit Mouchoir won the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown before finishing third in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March and heads Paddy Power's Arkle market after his odds were cut to 8-1 (from 12).

The Gigginstown grey set off in the lead and never saw another rival en route to posting a seven-length triumph over Brelade in second, while the winning owners were also represented by Burgas back in third.

Speaking after the race, a visibly delighted De Bromhead, said: “We can breath a sigh of relief now! It's what you'd hope he would go out and do, and thankfully he's done it.

"He had been schooling really well at home but until you see it on the track, you are always a little bit anxious.

"He looked great there and maybe we will come back here for the Grade 2 [Craddockstown Chase]. That could be a nice race for him, but we will see what Michael and Eddie [O'Leary] want to do next."

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