Saldier clings on in staying novice chase

Willie Mullins' Saldier won a driving finish to the Gerard O'Sullivan Memorial Novice Chase by the minimum margin after a tussle with Vina Ardanza

The latter closed to pick up the long-time leader Caesar Rock two out but blundered which enabled Saldier to lead on the run for home.

Jody McGarvey gave Vina Ardanza time to recover and the pair moved into a challenging position at the final fence.

Saldier jumped across Vina Ardanza at it and the pair were soon engaged in a battle in the closing stages with 7/4 favourite Saldier getting the verdict by a nose from the 2/1 runner-up after 2m7f.

The stewards looked at the last-fence incident but the result stood.

Jockey Paul Townend said: “He’s getting older and cuter now and has the cheekpieces on.

"He kept on pulling out a bit more when the other came at him and loves jumping fences. At this stage he wants to get everything his own way.”

Townend was back from winning a valuable hurdle race in Nashville yesterday on Scaramanga for Mullins.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee