L'AMI Serge came from last to first to snatch Grade 1 honours in the Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil (French Champion Hurdle) at the Paris track.

Daryl Jacob bided his time on the Nicky Henderson-trained seven-year-old, on what was L'Ami Serge's first attempt at the three-mile, one-and-a-half-furlong trip.

French favourite Blue Dragon set out to make all the running but a mistake three out put paid to his chances. After that, Alex De Larredya tried to steal a march on his rivals and made a beeline for the stands rail.

Meanwhile, L'Ami Serge (9/2) was produced on the opposite side of the course and galloped on resolutely after the final flight to hit the front on the run-in and land the spoils for owners Simor Munir and Isaac Souede from the Francois Nicolle-trained Alex De Larredya, wearing winning connections' French colours.

The Willie Mullins-trained Shaneshill was third, with Bosseur fourth. Last year's winner, the Paul Nicholls-trained Ptit Zig, was well beaten this time, as was Warren Greatrex's One Track Mind.

L'Ami Serge was given a quote of 14/1 for the Stayers' Hurdle at the 2018 Cheltenham Festival with BetVictor.