Deloitte winner is cut to Festival favouritism

The Willie Mullins trained Vautour has been cut to 5/1 favourite for the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham following his Grade 1 win in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown today, under Ruby Walsh.

The French bred son of Robin Des Champs made all in his game three lengths win over dual Grade 1 winner The Tullow Tank leaving bookmakers Boylesports and Paddy Power to cut Vautour to 5/1 farouritism for the Supreme Novices, shortening him from 8/1 and 9/1 respectively.

An impressed Mullins subsequently stated “we were concerned that there might be no pace and I said to Ruby if there was no pace not to be afraid to make it but that was Plan B! He took it though and he jumped well in front and I'm very happy with him.

“He did it the hard way and made the running for The Tullow Tank and everything else and they had their go at him and he just galloped away. I'm still happy to go for the Supreme Novice and they'll go a fair clip in that on better ground and he won't need to make his own running.

“It looks like he stays and will gallop up that hill and wasn't stopping there; I'd consider him for the Neptune Novice but I've other horses in mind for that race.”

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson