Thousand Stars improved on last year's second in the Grade Two Gras Savoye Hipcover Prix La Barka at Auteuil on Sunday.

Willie Mullins' grey had stayed on to finish a length and a half behind Roi Du Val 12 months ago before going on to claim revenge in the French Champion Hurdle but went one better on his return to the Parisian track.

One of a five strong raiding party sent over from Willie Mullins' base, the eight year old was held-up towards the rear of the field by Paul Townend for much of the extended two mile five contest as veteran Vitray took them along.

The leader began to tread water on the very soft ground turning into the straight for the final time and was soon overhauled by the prominent racing Tanais Du Chenet.

The mare was still in front jumping the last but Thousand Stars stayed on strongly up the inside to go clear in the run to the line to claim a seventh hurdling success of his career.

There was a photo for second with Tanais Du Chenet collared close home by Mullins' apparent first string Zaidpour who stayed on strongly for Ruby Walsh having become outpaced turning in.

The remainder of Mullins' team - Mourad, Mikael D'Haguenet and Quel Esprit -were all well beaten, as was Paul Nicholls' Five Dream.