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 yesterday.

There were two runners from this country 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 in 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.

Meanwhile, Johnny Murtagh was crowned the leading jockey at Royal Ascot for the second year in succession after ending the meeting with four wins under his belt. Murtagh claimed the London Club’s International Charity Trophy in 2008 after partnering six winners, while he was also finished the week on top in 2002 and 2001.

However, this year’s championship went right down to the wire with Murtagh only beating his great friend Richard Hughes due to a solitary second place.

Both Murtagh – who missed the final two days through suspension – and Hughes ended the meeting with four victories, but Murtagh’s second-place finish aboard Cesare in Tuesday’s Queen Anne Stakes clinched him the title.

Barry Hills ended the meeting as leading trainer for the first time in his 40-year career thanks to three wins with Ouqba, Ghanaati and Giganticus.