'Bitter-sweet' Ruby wins JNwineChase on Lido

Champion Jockey Ruby Walsh admitted feeling “bitter-sweet” following his big race win on the Gigginstown House Stud owned Valseur Lido formerly in the care of Willie Mullins, in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal today, the first Grade 1 contest of the Irish and British jumps seasons.

Valseur Lido, initially scouted from the French racing scene before joining Mullins in 2012, was one of 60 horses which left the trainer’s care following the high profile Gigginstown/Mullins split on September 28 and was today making his debut for new trainer Henry De Bromhead.

Walsh opted to ride the son of French bred son of Anzillero over another ex-Mullins inmate Don Poli and his decision proved correct as Valseur Lido moved past leader Silviniaco Conti approaching the second last fence.

At the line, Valseur Lido eased to an 11 lengths win over dual King George winner Silviniaco Conti, with Gigginstown’s Lord Scoundrel finishing third.

Don Poli, winner of the 2015 RSA Chase at Cheltenham, performed badly on his first start since leaving Mullins, never travelled with enthusiasm and was eventually pulled up.

Following the race Walsh, a long-time stable jockey and ally of Mullins’, stated “he jumped super and travelled super. He was going to win the Irish Hennessy when I fell off him and he was always a very very good horse. He hasn’t done anything that he hasn’t done in the past and it’s probably bitter-sweet for me but fair play to him (De Bromhead).”

Cheltenham Champion Chase winning trainer De Bromhead also stated “it was a super ride and he had been working very well. He's new to the yard so you don't really know but he did a lovely piece of work the other day. In that piece of work he just showed a gear that a real good three miler may not necessarily have.

"I'll speak to Michael and Eddie (O'Leary) and see what we'll do for the future.

"We offered the ride to Ruby and he came back and said he wanted to ride him.

"I wouldn't imagine he’d drop back in trip but he's new to me and Michael, Eddie (O’Leary) and Ruby know more about him.”

Don Poli's trainer Gordon Elliott was disappointed with his charge's performance and later commented "he didn't want to go from the first fence so I don't know. I'd say the Grand National (is a possible target) but we'll get him home and see."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Michael Graham