IT should have come as no surprise that Ballynagour adapted to the French hurdles so well in the Prix la Barka as it was his fifth attempt over such obstacles and his eighth appearance at Auteuil.

The nine-year-old started his career with Jehan Bertran de Balanda at Maisons-Laffitte before joining the stable of David Pipe in 2013. Until last Saturday, Ballynagour had run in nine mainly top chases in England and Ireland with Tom Scudamore who never had any fears in the Barka.

Ridden with patience early on, Ballynagour made progress on the far side before taking much closer order in the straight. He led at the last and then strode clear on the flat to win by five lengths from Val De Ferbet and Dos Santos who led until the last.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Silsol stayed on one-paced to finish sixth and two lengths ahead of Gitane Du Berlais who led for some times in the early stages. The English and Irish have now won the Barka for the last four years after the victories of Thousand Stars (2012/14) and Celestial Halo in 2013.

Pipe said: “This is my first success in France and it’s fantastic. I felt that some smaller jumps might be a good idea after he fell at Punchestown. We have to be careful with him because he bleeds so it’s difficult to have him spot on or run him too much. We will of course think about the French Champion Hurdle in three weeks’ time as it would be a dream to win the race. The owner isn’t here but we must consider the race.”

Scudamore added: “The most important thing is to keep him calm and the hood has certainly helped. We had a beautiful run and I always had plenty in reserve.”

Ballynagour went through the Tattersalls Ireland sales ring in 2006. He was consigned by Graham Morrow’s Loughview Stud, Co. Down and fetched a price of €17,000.

Willie Mullins was delighted with Val De Ferbet but lesser so with Gitane Du Berlais. He commented: “He ran a fantastic race which was a good trial for the Grande Course. He was a little out of his ground early on and I liked the way he finished.” Val De Ferbet took second place on the flat after the last.

Of Gitane Du Berlais, he said: “I was a little disappointed by the way she dropped back but Natalie Desoutter told me she stayed. She jumped a little big early on after running in a chase. I want to see how she recovers before sending her back in three weeks’ time.”

In her last visit to Autueil, Gitane Du Berlais beat third-placed Dos Santos in a Grade 3 contest.