The Leader Newspaper
By Andrew Atkinson
Gaillard Du Mesnil (13-8f) tipped by fromthehorsesmouth.info won the opening race at the Dublin Festival at Leopardstown on Saturday, when landing the Grade 1 Cheltenham Novice Hurdle (C1) over 2m 6f.
Willie Mullins’ trained five-year-old Gaillard Du Mesnil gained a 5 length victory ahead of Gentleman’s Game (12-1), with Stattler (7-1) third, under jockey Paul Townend.
Wetherby’s meeting on Saturday was abandoned after an inspection that revealed unsafe ground: “Following the 5mm rain on Friday night, the course has been left with areas of false and unstable ground.
“We have therefore had to take the decision to abandon today’s @WillHillRacing Cleeve Hurdle fixture. Apologies to everyone, but that sums up this winter!,” said a spokesperson.