THE Listed Grande Steeple Chase du Conseil Departemental de la Mayenne at Craon is not a race that many people outside France will be familiar with, but last weekend’s winner Off By Heart does have a connection to a smart Irish-bred and trained runner.

The eight-year-old son of Kapgarde was a leading young National Hunt performer in France as a four-year-old when his five victories that year included two Grade 3 chases at Auteuil over the distance of his most recent success, two miles and five furlongs. Off By Heart then had a few years in the semi-wilderness, but looked to be coming back to form last year when finishing second in the Grand Steeplechase de Bordeaux.