J.P.McManus had five of the nine runners in the beginners' chase - winning jockey Ruby Walsh is second from right© Photo Healy Racing
Chasing debuts don't come much more professional than Arvika Ligeonniere s (1/2f) win, on his comeback run after 747 days off, in the Punchestown For Events Beginners Chase at Punchestown today.
Ridden by Ruby Walsh, the Willie Mullins (both men completing doubles) trained gelding made all and jumped superbly, with the exception of a slightly untidy jump at the third last. At the line, the son of Arvico eased to a 13 lengths win over Tom Horn but the margin did not reflect the winner's superiority in any way.
Mullins subsequently said “he was electric! He just met one wrong but for a big horse to be as agile is promising.
“I doubt we'll get another run into him unless we get an awful summer but we'll see what happens in the next few weeks. That will probably be it until next season though.
Paddy Power bookmakers make Arvika Ligeonniere a 20/1 chance for the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham next March.
