Vic battles well to land hat-trick

Citizen Vic has connections mulling over a tilt at the RSA Chase at Cheltenham after a hard fought victory in the novice chase at Leopardstown.

Ruby Walsh hit the front turning for home on the 9/10 favourite but was strongly pressed from the last by See U Bob

The pair had a great tussle on the run-in but it was Citizen Vic who went on again in the closing stages for a two-and-a-half length success.

It was a treble on the day for Walsh and Willie Mullins, following on from the earlier victories of Cadspeed and Tarkari

"Ruby said he settled great and it opens up a lot of longer trips for me," said Mullins.

"He's still in the RSA Chase and after today's victory we'll have to have a think about it.

"I had been going for the Power Gold Cup and probably at the end of the day he'll go to Fairyhouse but we have to think about the other race.

"He's bred to get a trip but the only problem I had with him was that he wasn't settling. He seems to be improving."

The winner is a general 33/1 chance for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham.