Valseur Lido and Bryan Cooper© Photo Healy Racing
The Willie Mullins trained Valseur Lido made a good winning chase debut when easily justifying 8/11 favouritism in the Gain Supporting Laois GAA Beginners Steeplechase at Punchestown today, under his owner Gigginsgtown House Stud's retained rider Bryan Cooper.
Runner-up to stablemate Faugheen in last April's Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown, the son of Anzillero put in a sound round of jumping before easily beating Champagne James by 11 lengths.
From a form point of view, the race did lose much of its merit with the falls of the second (Sizing Codelco) and third (Abbey Lane) favourites.
Following the win Mullins stated “two-and-a-half miles was no problem to him and we'll probably have a look at the Drinmore now.
“Bryan (Cooper) was very happy with him so I'm happy.”
By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson