JOHN Quinn, once third on Past Glories in a Champion Hurdle but a successful trainer in north Yorkshire these many years, sent Aurore D’Estruval to Sandown and was rewarded as the 6/4 favourite and A.P. McCoy landed the Listed 32Red.com Mares’ Hurdle over two and a half miles. Run Ructions Run made the early running but was a long way below her best and finished so far back that something must have been amiss. Flute Bowl headed her going to two out but Aurore D’Estruval was clearly going he best and led over the last before running on strongly to account for Dark Spirit by two lengths. She was the top-rated mare in this and fully justified punters’ confidence, despite drifting from 10/11 at one stage.

The champion jockey was happy and recommended putting her away for the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle at the festival. She is generally around 4/1 second favourite behind the sidelined Annie Power.