FRENCH-BREDS have been enjoying a great time, posting success after success in many of the top National Hunt races of last season in Ireland and Britain.

Last week it was time for them to play host to some overseas challengers for their big weekend of racing at Auteuil, and they successfully repelled the invaders, with one exception. Willie Mullins saddled trained Gala Marceau to win their equivalent of the Triumph Hurdle, the Grade 1 Prix Alain du Breil d’Ete Hurdle, but he did so with a French-bred.