Killultagh Vic© Photo Healy Racing
Cheltenham and Punchestown Festival winner Killultagh Vic gets the chance to demonstrate his capabilities over fences when contesting the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse today.
Not surprisingly, given he began life in the point-to-point fields, the six-year-old is viewed as one of this season's most exciting prospects for staying novice chases.
Willie Mullins' charge certainly couldn't be faulted on the score of consistency in his hurdling days, with his three wins including the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Hurdle at Cheltenham and the three-mile Grade One at Punchestown.
Ruby Walsh takes the reins on Killultagh Vic for just the third time competitively in the 11.30am curtain-raiser and while two miles might be on the sharp side, his class should see him through.
This event is also notable as Ferdy Murphy's son Barry begins in the training ranks with the Mikey Fogarty-partnered Robin Des People
Half-an-hour later Mullins could strike again with Roi Des Francs in the Promote Your Business At Fairyhouse In 2016 Beginners Chase.
Gigginstown House Stud's retained rider Bryan Cooper prefers Roi Des Francs over Sub Lieutenant in the three-mile contest. Troytown runner-up, Georges Conn and the long-absent graded hurdler, Our Vinnie are others to catch the eye.
Ruby Walsh will pull on the Hurricane Fly silks of George Creighton when French-import Allblak Des Places starts off in the Book Online At fairyhouse.ie 3-y-o Maiden Hurdle. The Full Of Gold gelding is likely to make his presence felt after a couple of placed efforts in France. Avichi is a half-sister to the legendary 'Fly,' and she goes for Mullins under Colin Motherway in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund 4-Y-O Fillies INH Flat Race. Cherry Bomb and Commeragh Trix will justifiably have their followers for this finale as well.
