AL Namix has just turned 20 years of age and he will cover mares in France this year at a bargain €2,500. I say bargain because he is a stallion who keeps knocking in winners, and last Sunday his son Petit Mouchoir (French for small handkerchief) added a second Grade 1 victory to his CV when he landed the BHP Irish Champion Hurdle.

A €100,000 purchase at the Goffs Land Rover Sale, Petit Mouchoir made a serious dent in that price when, having won his only point-to-point, he made a winning debut in the valuable Goffs Land Rover Bumper. Now his three hurdle wins include a pair of Grade 1s and his winnings are approaching €250,000. Bred in France by Philip Gueret, Petit Mouchoir is the first foal of the Denham Red (by Pampabird) mare Arnette, a three-time winner over jumps.