Sivola makes big impression on Irish debut The market suggested the opening juvenile maiden hurdle at Clonmel was a one-horse race and so it proved as Ut De Sivola cruised to victory under Ruby Walsh. The French import was backed from evens this morning into 4/11 favourite and supporters never had a moments worry. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding was buried in the pack early in the two-mile event before taking closer order at the third last. Walsh let his mount dispute matters, with Bat Masterson, at the second last and a fine leap at the final flight saw him go clear. The Robin Des Champs gelding didn't need to change gear as he cantered to a highly impressive seven-and-a-half length victory. The winner had been placed on the level in France and is the latest in a long line of successful imports for the Closutton handler. "He's a real workmanlike horse. He jumped nicely," said Mullins afterwards. "He's always shown that he's a strong sort and he'll improve away. He always shows at home that he has plenty left in the tank. "He had a fairly hard race today so we might skip Christmas with him and see where we go after that." Mullins also added that the winning owner Philip Reynolds is from Longford. Stan James introduced the winner at 16/1 for the Triumph Hurdle.
