Minor honours for Irish team as Theleme wins French Champion Hurdle for British owners

At the climax of a Grande Course de Haies chock full of the best staying hurdlers Ireland has to offer, it was Yorkshire voices that were raised as Theleme drew clear of old rival Hermes Baie in the colours of the late Jim Gordon.

In doing so he provided a first win in France's Champion Hurdle for jockey Gaetan Masure and a third for trainer Arnaud Chaille-Chaille, 16 years on from his last with Zaiyad.

Klassical Dream emerged best of a quartet of runners for Willie Mullins in third, with Hewick fourth and the pace-setting Feronily in fifth, all ensuring that the visitors took home a reasonable share of the €390,000 prize fund.

Theleme and Hermes Baie have dominated the domestic hurdling scene over the last two seasons and the taciturn Chaille-Chaille was briefly overcome, the pressure that had built up with each passing hour of unwelcome sunshine suddenly draining away.

"That's quite something because that's not his ground," said Chaille-Chaille. "He's much better in the autumn. This might change our ideas with him as carrying 72 kilos in all the preps, that can leave a mark. Cheltenham might suit him."

The Gordon family's racing manager Bertand Le Metayer added: "The horse has won everything there is to win here and, although Jim historically raced his horses here, the owners are British and there might be a chance to take up the challenge. He’ll be off on his holidays now and we’ll take time to think about his programme."

Klassical Dream finished an identical seven lengths behind Hermes Baie as he did in this race 12 months ago and, with the runner-up having roared back to form following a virus-hit spring, Mullins was happy Paul Townend's mount had run his race.

"We’re very happy with Klassical Dream," said Mullins. "It looked to be a very fast pace and I was hoping he might go closer but we have no hard luck stories.

"I was disappointed with the other horses. Asterion Forlonge didn’t take to the French hurdles on the first circuit. Kilcruit was probably too free in doing too much too early on. Haut En Couleurs ran well considering but I won’t be putting a hood on him the next time we come over. He was too lazy with it on."

Klassical Dream: fared best of the Irish runners in thirdCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Rachael Blackmore never allowed Hewick to get too far back off the ferocious pace set by Feronily and Goa Lil and was rewarded with a brave fourth-placed effort.

"I’m very happy with the run," said trainer Shark Hanlon. "They went hard but he travelled well and Rachael was happy with him. Maybe he’s a better chaser than a hurdler but it was worth a gamble and I’m glad I came.

"He’s a great little horse and he never lets us down. €35,000 again today, so we can’t say anything against that."

Feronily had the entire field on the stretch and continued his extraordinarily versatile season when staying on for fifth under Donagh Meyler.

"He’s ran his race and it’s a brilliant first effort on the track," said trainer Emmet Mullins. "For a horse that only had his first run over hurdles on March 4 to be running in a Champion Hurdle by May, it's extraordinary for him to be able to adapt. But he’s kept improving all season and this is definitely another step up the ladder, so we’re delighted with him."

Given he won a Grade 1 novice chase on his last start, Mullins has a wealth of options for Feronily next season, although he confessed to being "none the wiser" as to the son of Getaway's future.

"All he’s done is open up more opportunities today," said Mullins. "It’s exciting times ahead and fingers crossed we have an exciting horse for next season."

Gabin Meunier managed to stalk his way into sixth place on the Sophie Leech-trained Lucky One, but the massed ranks of the Flooring Porter syndicate had less to cheer about, with the dual Stayers' Hurdle winner never able to lay up for Danny Mullins on his way to ninth place.

Even though he vacated his crown to Theleme, Hermes Baie ran with huge credit given the degree to which Francois Nicolle's yard has been hit by a virus.

"We've had a lot of issues with this horse's respiratory system, but today you saw the real Hermes Baie," said Nicolle. "Theleme was better today but I'm very happy with the run, which I couldn't have imagined a month ago.

"We'll leave this stage now to Theleme and he'll go chasing in the autumn, with the Prix La Haye Jousselin and next year's Grand Steeple-Chase as his targets."

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