Trainer Nicky Henderson has hailed Daryl Jacob's ride on Sunday as he took L'Ami Serge to victory in the French Champion Hurdle.
The seven-year-old was expected to perform well in the Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil with the likes of Alex De Larredya and Shaneshill providing strong competition.
Jacob got off to a slow start and had to nurse L'Ami Serge into contention before putting in an impressive sprint three from home.
L'Ami Serge had enough in the tank to move past Alex De Larredya and claim a first French Champion Hurdle for Henderson, who was full of praise for Jacob.
Henderson said: “Daryl has given him the most fantastic ride.
“I thought that was brave, to drop him out. We did have a hood on and it does help them relax. The worry was would he get the trip, so we had to make sure he went to sleep. It was a brilliant ride.”
