Weld's winner set for annual Cheltenham trip

The Dermot Weld trained Vigil justified 2/9 favouritism when winning the opening Paddy Power ACCA Insurance Maiden Hurdle at Naas today and in the process set himself up for a possible third attempt at next month's Cheltenham Festival.

Ridden by Davy Russell, Vigil travelled well throughout and having moved to the front at the second last, stayed on well for an easy win over Coeur Joyeux

"He did what we expected him to do," said Weld afterwards.

"Obviously he's a possible for Cheltenham and he's also a possible for Fairyhouse and Punchestown.

"We'll see how he comes out of the race before we make a decision. He's very effective on that ground but I'd say he'll be effective on good ground as well.

“He handles soft to heavy whereas Silver Concorde wants good ground. Silver Concorde is a different horse when he gets good ground.

"I think this horse jumped very well today, he got in a pinged the last. He'll learn a lot from that."

Paddy Power left Vigil, which filled fifth place in the last two renewals of the Cheltenham Champion Bumper, unchanged at 33/1 for the Supreme Novice Hurdle.

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson