Who is James du Berlais? Timeform reveal all you need to know about Willie Mullins' French import

Who is James du Berlais?

James du Berlais, a leading hurdler in France owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, joined Willie Mullins' powerhouse yard at the start of the season.

This is a significant recruit for Mullins as James du Berlais - with a Timeform rating of 152 - was the third highest-rated four-year-old hurdler in France last season, behind only Nirvana du Berlais (154) and For Fun (153).

James du Berlais, who was trained by Robert Collet, earned his rating of 152 when finishing a close-up second to For Fun in the Grade 1 Prix Alain du Breil, which was run over just shy of two miles and three furlongs at Compiegne in June rather than at its traditional home at Auteuil. Mullins has won the Prix Alain du Breil in recent years with Diakali (2013) and Footpad (2016).

James du Berlais ran to a similar level when successful in the Grade 3 Prix Questarabad at Auteuil in July and notched another success over an extended two miles and three furlongs at that course when landing the Grade 3 Prix Pierre de Lassus Hurdle in October. He was beaten a short-head when odds-on to win the Grade 1 Prix Renaud du Vivier Hurdle on his most recent outing at Auteuil last month.

Hopes will be high for James du Berlais as he is the highest-rated French hurdler to join a British or Irish stable in recent years.

Un Temps Pour Tout was rated 151 prior to being sold for £450,000 and joining David Pipe in 2013. He returned to France to win the Grand Course de Haies d'Auteuil (French Champion Hurdle) and was also twice successful in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Pic d'Orhy, rated 145 in France, is another talented recruit who has enjoyed success in Britain. He won the Betfair Hurdle last season after joining Paul Nicholls.

Unsurprisingly, the high-profile switches haven't all worked out so well. Kotkikova was rated 142 over hurdles and 148p over fences prior to joining Nicky Henderson in 2016, but she only ran twice and was well beaten on both occasions. Indietir (143), King's Socks (144) and Fou Et Sage (150) are others who failed to meet expectations after leaving France.

Mullins' superb record with his French recruits offers encouragement for James du Berlais' prospects, however. Douvan, Vautour, and Chacun Pour Soi all started out over hurdles in France, though were admittedly much more lightly-raced when joining Mullins.

James Du Berlais has an entry in the Unibet Champion Hurdle at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival.