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.