Four-miler on the cards for Suntiep

The phrase “jumping is the name of the game” is often trotted out to explain fortunate victories and it was never more apt than in the 3m1f beginners chase at Fairyhouse where Si C’Etait Vrai threw away a winning opportunity by crashing out at the last. Suntiep was the lucky beneficiary. The pair went at it head-to-head from a long way out but, despite a blunder at the penultimate fence, Si C’Etait Vrai looked set for victory approaching the last.

Bryan Cooper’s mount held a two-length advantage when again blundering at the last, and this time he didn’t get away with it. Both horse and jockey walked away from the incident.

Suntiep (4/5 favourite) was left a long way clear with that exit, and Ruby Walsh’s mount came home a yawning 64 lengths ahead of Vasco Du Mee

Winning trainer Willie Mullins said, “It was very fortuitous, although apart from that he jumped great. He’s got the four-miler (National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival)written all over him and I doubt he’ll run between now and then.

“He probably hasn’t a lot of experience going there but he seems a natural jumper. I’d nearly get my licence out again to ride him!”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson