WILLIE MULLINS had to settle for minor honours with his two runners in the Prix Alain du Breil at Auteuil.

The Irish handler saddled course-and-distance winner Hurricane Fly as well as Quevega in the Grade One contest, in which the former came with a well-timed run to challenge between the last two.

However, Grivette was in front at that point and beat the Mullins duo a shade cosily.

Jayo, J'y Vole and Uncle Junior then failed to trouble the judge in the Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil. Emma Lavelle's Labelthou was also pulled up in the Grade One event, which was won by Oeil Du Maitre.

The Seán Mulryan-owned Mid Dancer finished second, a length and a quarter in arrears of the impressive scorer, while Monoalco was third.

Brian O'Connor adds: Ruby Walsh returns to action after his fortnight suspension with six rides at this evening's Kilbeggan meeting and the champion jockey is wasting no time getting back into the swing of things as one of his mounts is the blinkered Battlefront in the three mile Beginners Chase.

The most noteworthy opponent for Battlefront looks like being Rosaker, a high class staying hurdler with Grade 1 form, who has his first start over fences for Paul Carberry and Noel Meade.

Even for a high class 11-year-old, winning first time out will be no easy task and the proven course form of Front Man might be a better option.

Strolling Home has landed a two mile flat handicap at Ballinrobe since winning over the course and distance of tonight's handicap hurdle and is clearly in the sort of form to complete a hat-trick.

Luca Brasi has his first start in six months in the bumper but Willie Mullins's horses are always to be respected in this grade.

Yesterday's meeting at Hexham was abandoned because of high winds. Officials at the track had no option but to call off the meeting due to the severity of the gusts.

"In light of the forecast - we were informed winds were set to peak between 3pm and 4pm - we had no option but to abandon," said clerk of the course James Armstrong.