Petit Mouchoir heads Arkle market after dominant debut display

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Henry De Bromhead’s Petit Mouchoir is now the favourite for the Arkle at the 2018 Cheltenham Festival, after an impressive chasing debut victory at Punchestown yesterday.

The duel Grade One winner was both workmanlike and impressive on his first run since the Festival, travelling strongest and easily quickening past his ten rivals.

Helped by a strong round of jumping, he forged clear by seven lengths for Davy Russell to enjoy an easy debut success.

A winner of the Irish Champion and Ryanair Hurdle, the former Champion Hurdle looks one of the leading novice chasers for the season.

"You'd be nervous heading out on him as today was very important he did things right with the future in mind,” said winning jockey Davy Russell.

“Henry is a master at improving hurdlers to chasers and he looks to have done it again.

"Having run in a point that's a huge bonus, it gives them such a good grounding. We hadn't done that much schooling, two bits outside, though Henry does plenty himself. He gave him a pop yesterday and he was very good.

"The country is full of high-quality horses and he's one, it's a highly competitive sphere but I'm sure he'll hold his own."

He currently heads the Arkle antepost market, along with last season’s dominant Triumph winner Defi Du Seuil.

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Gordon Elliott enjoyed a double on the card with Cracking Smart and Campeador both winning

Cracking Smart, who was tipped to win by our sister site Tippin Jimmy, enjoyed a comfortable four length success in his maiden hurdle.

Elliott also oversaw Campeador defy a long absence to take a hurdle event, and he looks another smart prospect in the making.

JP McManus-owned Espoir D’Allen won tidily, as A Sizing Network also tasted victory for Gold Cup winning Sizing John’s connections.