Mullins pair beaten in France

The Willie Mullins-trained J’y Vole and Financial Reward could not repeat their French heroics of last month as they were both well beaten in the Grade One Prix Alain du Breil at Auteuil.

The Irish raiders, who were first and second respectively over course and distance last time, were held up towards the rear in the early stages of the two-and-a-half-mile contest but failed to make any real impression.

Financial Reward stayed on late to grab fifth, while J’y Vole could only finish seventh.

At the business end, Thierry Doumen’s Good Bye Simon, whose juvenile campaign included a victory in a Grade One event at Chepstow and a second to Triumph Hurdle hero Katchit at Cheltenham, repelled the late challenge of Big Buck’s to land the spoils in determined fashion.