PADDY MULLINS has reason to remember Auteuil with mixed feelings, but he will be represented at the Paris jumping track today by Noble Thyne in the £33,670 Prix Ia Barka (2m 5 1/2f). Richard Dunwoody rides the Fairyhouse scorer in the French Champion Hurdle prep race, while Ferdy Mushy runs Paddy's Return (Norman Williamson).

The two Anglo-Irish raiders won't have it easy in the nine-runner field, with the smart home performers Force Atlantique, Ponte Novu and Villez in the field.

Mullins, of course, saddled Dawn Run to win this race in 1984 en route to the brilliant mare's French Champion Hurdle success that same year. However, Dawn Run was tragically killed in a fatal fall under Michel Chirol in her 1996 attempt at the French Champion Hurdle.

. Dick Hern's chance to end his remarkable training career with another Epsom Classic victory ended yesterday when Sarayir was pulled out of the Oaks. The filly, who finished ninth in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, will he targeted at another prize because connections fear the ground may become too fast.

. Hopes are high that Double Trigger will be able to take his chance in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot later this month. But the chances of his younger brother, Double Eclipse, joining him in the race are diminishing.

Double Trigger is likely to undergo a workout Pontefract on Monday to test his well-being for a tilt at the Gold Cup, which he won two years ago. The colt has been under something of a cloud since his disappointing performance in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot on his reappearance when he finished last.