Leopardstown Christmas Festival: Petit Mouchoir the Ryanair Hurdle punt

Petit Mouchoir primed for Ryanair Hurdle mission

Petit Mouchoir has shaped well in both starts this season and looks decent value to turn over Nichols Canyon and land the Grade 1 Ryanair Hurdle on the final day of Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival (14.30).

The five-year-old had some very useful form to his name last season when in the care of Willie Mullins, opening his account over hurdles at the first time of asking when scoring easily at Thurles before running a blinder when stepped up into Grade 1 company and finishing a 1 1/2 length third to Long Dog at this meeting.

Petit Mouchoir went on to finish a solid keeping on eighth of 14 to Altior in a very strong renewal of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival before running a stormer when collared close home and beaten just a neck by the highly regarded Buveur D’air in a Grade 1 at Aintree’s Grand National meeting.

He then rounded off the campaign with a half-a-length second in a similar grade affair at the Punchestown Festival and a split between Mullins and owners Gigginstown House Stud saw the son of Al Namix move to Henry De Bromhead.

Promising runs for new handler

There was lots to like about Petit Mouchoir’s first run for his new handler when third of four to Rashaan in a Grade 2 at Down Royal where after travelling strongly throughout in third,he found himself short of room approaching two out and made a mistake at the last when switched left to see daylight.

He then kept on under tender handling to be beaten 3 1/4 lengths, and it was an eye-catching effort which left the distinct impression that he may well have won if given a more positive ride.