Val De Ferbet & Ruby Walsh survived this blunder at the last© Photo Healy Racing
Val De Ferbet survived a blunder at the last as he ran out a facile winner of the feature at Limerick, the Grade 2 Hugh McMahon Memorial Novice Chase, scoring under Ruby Walsh for Willie Mullins.
The French-bred son of Voix Du Nord won on his debut over fences at Fairyhouse in December but finished last of five on his next start at Naas after making some jumping errors. Rule The World finished ahead of him on that occasion but Val De Ferbet exacted his revenge today.
The Andrew Heffernan owned victor raced in rear early on but improved to lead after the sixth.
He was pressed by Rule The World on the approach to the straight but he eased clear before two out and despite the aforementioned blunder at the last he came home with thirteen lengths to spare.
The winner was available at 7/4 last night but was well-supported throughout the day and opened on-course at 9/10 before going off the clear 10/11 favourite.
Rule The World went off an 11/4 chance and he finished second under Brian O'Connell for Mouse Morris.
Willie Mullins said afterwards: "He is a very, very good jumper and has great scope. He doesn't get too high over his fences but is quick getting from A to B.
"We can do any trip with him and he could easily go back to two and a half miles or even two miles. I'd prefer to keep him away from the hustle and bustle of the Festivals and ideally would prefer to find another race like this."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
