Vautour© Photo Healy Racing
Supreme Novices Hurdle winner Vautour made a winning chase debut at Navan today, creating a very favourable impression in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Beginners Chase, winning well for Champion Trainer Willie Mullins and Champion Jockey Ruby Walsh.
The son of Robin Des Champs (returned the 2/11 favourite) made all and put in a sound round of jumping to eventually easily beat Clarcam by eight lengths.
Mullins later stated “Willie Mullins “he jumped well and it's nice to see him pass his first test. I don't think he could have jumped any better.
"The fourth last was the only fence he got a bit close to and I'd give him the benefit of the doubt because of the sun; for a novice he handled it well.
"Ruby asked him after the second last and I was delighted the way he jumped the last after changing gear. I've no plans yet for his next run.”
Regarding some of his other stars, the Champion Trainer added "Un De Sceaux will probably run at Thurles on Thursday. It's over 2m2f but it's a case of getting them all out at the moment. There are not that many races after that up to Christmas."
“It's likely that Milsean will step up in trip. He will improve a fair bit from that run (today) as I thought he looked big coming here but we needed to get him out."
"All the horses from yesterday have come out of their races well. The biggest problem I had this morning was our lorry wouldn't start!"
Antepost reaction to the win was swift, with Ladbrokes (5/1), Boylesports (7/2) and Paddy Power (6/1) cutting him for the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham while Boylesports are unchanged at 7/2 for the JLT Novice Chase.
Vautour was also completing a double for Mullins, having won the opener with Milsean.
By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee
