Arvika Ligeonniere and Paul Townend© Photo Healy Racing
Arvika Ligeonniere had a bloodless victory as he put away his three rivals with the minimum of fuss in the Grade 2 Normans Grove Chase at Fairyhouse.
Willie Mullins was triple handed in this two mile one race, however, Turban and David Casey crashed out at the first fence. Arvika Ligeonniere, the 4/11 favourite, had assumed the lead from flagfall and put in some eyecatching leaps as he dominated.
Mullins second-string Twinlight raced in second, but was unable to reel in the market leader with Paul Townend doing the steering, who won without coming off the bridle by three and a quarter lengths.
Willie Mullins said: “I thought he jumped particularly well. He’s back going the right way round. He’ll go for the two mile race in Punchestown.
“He seems to prefer going right-handed, but has won a Grade 1 going left-handed. The ground is a big factor too. He’s a real brave chaser and we are lucky to have him.” Foildubh was 17 lengths adrift of Twinlight in third, and Kates Benefit took fourth.
This was the eighth winner in the past two weeks for Willie Mullins.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
