Edward O'Grady's Jumbo Rio finished a creditable if remote second in France's Triumph Hurdle, the Prix Alain du Breil, at Auteuil on Sunday.
A winner of Punchestown's Champion four-year-old hurdle having flopped at Cheltenham, Andrew McNamara's mount was no match for easy victor Rendons Grace.
The winner was ridden for Guy Cherel by Cyrille Gombeau and was confirming form from a month ago with the Irish raider in a trial for the race.
Avenue Marceau finished third, ahead of the Willie Mullins-trained Mourad, who had finished runner-up to Jumbo Rio at Punchestown.