Petite Parisienne gets Cooper off mark Petite Parisienne, the 11/4 favourite, routed the opposition as she hacked up by eight and a half lengths in the Grade One AES Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at Punchestown. The grey filly jumped the second last in fourth place just alongside Buiseness Sivola but behind Stars Over The Sea and Thunder Zone. Bryan Cooper was soon rowing away on the inside as he asked for more. Turning into the home straight and she launched her challenge down the outside of Thunder Zone. She was back on the bridle and travelling smoothly on the approach to the final hurdle. Her turn of foot saw her go on and jump that obstacle four lengths to the good and she galloped resolutely to the line in putting the race to bed. Buiseness Sivola at 9/2 got second-placed money, a length and three quarters in front of Thunder Zone (20/1). Willie Mullins said: "She's a fantastic mare. Compared to Annie Power this mare is like little and large but she has a huge engine. "I thought Bryan was in a bit of trouble as going to the fourth last he was tucked in but the minute he got daylight he just swung to the outside and came round the whole lot of them. "She has a big engine for a little mare. Her change of gear was fantastic. She is a nice prospect. Bryan said she'd get further and there was no sign of her stopping. She could go for the Prix Alain Du Breil at Auteuil if the owners want to go there." Petite Parisienne was Bryan Cooper's first winner at this year's festival and gave Willie Mullins his 15th success. He saddled the first two home in this race. This was Mullins' 30th Grade One of the season between Ireland and England - a world record. On being advised of this, Mullins commented: "We've had a tremendous season!" Additional reporting by Alan Magee
