County second Aramon registers imperious win in Grimes Hurdle

Aramon defied top weight to run out an impressive winner of the Grade 3 Grimes Hurdle, getting the better of favourite Petit Mouchoir with a flying leap over the final hurdle.

Sent off the 5-1 second favourite, the Willie Mullins-trained Aramon has some high-class form to his name, including second in the County Hurdle this year and winning the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle in 2018.

Winning rider Paul Townend said: "He's done well. He wasn't very well treated at the weights. He looks big in the parade ring so hopefully he can improve for it again."

When asked if he was a potential Galway Hurdle candidate, Townend added: "Possibly. He'll have plenty of weight wherever he goes. He'll improve from that."

Aramon (left) finishes strongly in the County Hurdle behind Saint Roi (second right)Credit: Edward Whitaker

Nine-year-old Petit Mouchoir, strongly supported before the off at 11-10, was always prominent and battled to retain second at the line. Wonder Laish, trained by Charles Byrnes, came home in third ahead of the front-running outsider Effernock Fizz.

Mullins trained Sharjah to win the Galway Hurdle carrying 11st 7lb two years ago, while he has also saddled Clondaw Warrior (2016) and Mystical City (1996) to victory in the race.

It was a fifth win in the Grimes Hurdle for the trainer, who struck last year with the useful Thomas Hobson.

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