EMMET Mullins was out of luck with the 2022 Grand National winner on his return to action at Auteuil on Saturday. Noble Yeats, the mount of James Reveley, returned in the two-mile–six-furlong Prix Heros XII chase but he blundered badly at the second fence, an open ditch, and Reveley did well to keep the partnership intact.

Noble Yeats quickly lost ground after the error and was losing touch with the field a short while later when Reveley took the decision to pull up his mount, although he did not appear to be injured. Owner Robert Waley-Cohen said a reappearance in Britain is his likely next outing when the going turns softer.

However, the Irish trainer did not go home empty-handed as he landed the €155,000 Grade 2 Georges de Talhouët-Roy 3yo Hurdle race.

McTigue, in the Paul Byrne colours, got the best of the French, beating St Donats at the end of a battle up the run-in. St Donats looked like he was well en route to a repeat win after his convincing comeback but though he didn’t land perfectly at the last, McTigue managed to outstay his rival with Goliath du Rheu well back in in third.

A consistent handicapper over the flat when trained by Jim Bolger, McTigue was unsold at Goffs Champions Sale at Leopardstown in September at €125,000 but was picked up Emmet Mullins and won a juveniles’ event at Sedgefield.

Also on the card, the favourite and last season’s Grade 1 Grande Course de Haies d’Auteuil winner Hermes Baie was beaten in the Grade 3 Prix Carmarthen by Theleme.

Guillaume Macaire’s Spes Militurf is also a name to remember as he won the opening Prix duc d’Alburquerque, a conditions chase by 10 lengths at odds-on.

International star Addeyebb bows out with a win

THERE was one Group 2 on the card at ParisLongchamp and it provided the eight-year-old Addeybb with a fitting swansong to his international career which brought him Group 1 wins in both northern and southern hemispheres.

He came through in the final furlong to add the Group 2 Prix du Conseil de Paris over a mile and three furlongs to his record, beating Monty by a length and three-quarters under regular rider Tom Marquand. The Pivotal gelding, who carries the colours of Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, retired with career earnings of £3.6 million, with the final success one of 13 victories.

The soft-ground specialist won three of his four Group 1s in Australia but it is his Champion Stakes at Ascot two years ago was probably his career high.

Trainer William Haggas said: “He’s been a great horse and owes us nothing. His owner has been marvellous and has really enjoyed the ride. Addeybb has been a great horse for us and very sound. He’s been a joy to have around the place.”

Marquand picked up the ride when riding down in Australia before Covid struck in 2020 and he guided Addeybb to two wins in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Royal Randwick giving Marquand a breakthrough at Group 1 level.

He paid tribute. saying: “He’s been the gift that keeps on giving. It’s hard to find a horse with heart and ability, but he had both in abundance.”