French bred horses were once again in the news abroad this weekend, with National Hunt Grade 1 and 2 winners in both England and Ireland.

On Saturday Twist Magic (Winged Love) beat two other French breds, Petit Robin (Robin des Pres) and Oh Crick (Nikos), on his way to winning the Victor Chandler Chase Gr1 at Ascot. It was the tenth win of his career having previously won once and been placed twice on his only three runs in France, at Auteuil, when trained by Guillaume Macaire. Now in the care of Paul Nicholls, he will be aimed for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in March. Twist Magic was purchased for a mere €9,500 by PB Bloodstock Services, as a yearling, at Baden-Baden in 2003.

The same afternoon, at Haydock, Medermit (Medaaly) was successful in the Sportingbet.com Champion Hurdle Trial Gr2 for trainer Alan King. Previously trained by Christophe Lotoux, he won once and was placed twice on his three starts over hurdles before his move across the channel. He holds an entry in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Meanwhile, on Sunday at Leopardstown, the Irish based FRs were putting up top class performances of their own. Solwhit (Solon) won the Irish Champion Hurdle with jockey Davy Russell in the saddle. Now trained by Charles Byrnes, he ran only twice in France, once when unsuccessful on the flat and then won over hurdles. He has achieved 10 wins from 16 starts and will also be aimed for the Champion Hurdle in March. Winner of this race in 2007, French bred Sublimity (Selkirk) finished 6 lengths behind in third place in the hands of Philip Carberry.

Unraced in France, but French bred nonetheless, Quel Esprit (AQPS-Saint des Saints) started off favourite but was beaten half a length into second place in the Synergy Security Solutions Novice Hurdle Gr2. Bred by Haras de St Voir, he makes up an impressive bunch of FRs trained by Willie Mullins. Quel Esprit was purchased by Highflyer Bloodstock at the Arqana Sale, at Saint Cloud, in July 2006 for €33,000.

The Arkle Novice Chase Gr1 also featured a FR, in the shape of the English visitor Take the Breeze (Take Risks). The 7 year old mare is now trained by Paul Nicholls but she had a total of 31 runs, both on the flat and over jumps, with only 1 win, when trained in France by J.P Pelat. She was bred by Mme Carole Cher in whose colours she also ran for a time. She is to date the best produce of her dam, Reine Breeze, her 3 year old half brother, Karacoli (Goldneyev) has been placed on the flat in France from 2 starts, while there is also a two year old half brother, Ultimate King (Ultimate Lucky), and a yearling half sister, La Regence (Slickly).

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