GAILLARD Du Mesnil finally enjoyed his day in the sun over fences with a facile victory in the Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

Although winless in six previous outings over the larger obstacles, the dual Grade 1-winning hurdler had never finished out of the first three and has been placed three times at the highest level.

Gaillard Du Mesnil's Drinmore conqueror Mighty Potter was a non-runner, putting the Willie Mullins-trained gelding as the 5/6 favourite to open his chasing account, something he ultimately did in fine style.

The race was marred by fatal injuries suffered by both Unexpected Depth and Three Stripe Life.

Amirite also unseated Rachael Blackmore, but Gaillard Du Mesnil managed to keep himself out of trouble under a patient ride before pulling seven and a half lengths clear of Churchstonewarrior to provide Willie Mullins and Paul Townend with yet another Grade 1 success this week.

The winning trainer Wille Mullins commented on Gaillard Du Masnil's performance:

“He had the experience and he had the rating. He was still a maiden, but we had kept him to good class company all the time and he got his experience against that type of company,” said Mullins.

“Paul said he just flew fences down the back for him. They went very fast and he was even taken off it a bit early on.

“He just glided into the race down the outside, kept out of trouble and kept away from the loose horse (Amirite) the best he could. He just kept jumping and landed in front."

Paddy Power make Gaillard Du Mesnil their 6/4 favourite from 9/4 for the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, while he is 6/1 from 10/1 with the same firm for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.