Little joy for Irish at Auteuil

Racing : Irish raiders had to make do with minor honours in France as Rendons Grace ran out a wide-margin winner of the Prix…

Racing: Irish raiders had to make do with minor honours in France as Rendons Grace ran out a wide-margin winner of the Prix Alain du Breil at Auteuil.

Ireland was doubly represented in the Grade One contest with Edward O’Grady saddling Punchestown Festival winner Jumbo Rio and champion trainer Willie Mullins represented by Mourad, third in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Both travelled strongly throughout the extended two-mile-three-furlong contest but were unable to match the finishing kick of Rendons Grace, who was notching his third successive victory at the track.

Jumbo Rio and Andrew McNamara finished second to Guy Cherel’s charge for the second time in succession, while David Casey’s mount, Mourad, was far from disgraced in fourth.