Ligeonniere back with a bang Arvika Ligeonniere powered away in the closing stages to make an impressive winning return to action in the Clonmel Oil Chase this afternoon. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding, one of the leading novices of last season, was sent off a solid 4/5 favourite on his seasonal debut. Ruby Walsh tracked the front-running Rubi Light in the Grade 2 two-and-a-half mile contest. There was a scare for odds-on punters early as the hotpot blundered at the fifth fence. His jumping was slick at the business end, however. Walsh sent him to the front turning for home and he was asked for an effort after the second last. The Rich Ricci-owned French-bred galloped on strongly from the final fence to post a three-and-a-half length success. Toner D’Oudairies won the battle for the runner-up spot with Texas Jack. Mullins admitted he had been concerned about the winner on the undulating tight track:- “He handled the track better than I thought. I thought it might have been too small for him. “He jumped well when he needed to. I’m very happy given his home work and I think he has to improve. He was staying on the whole way today. “Plan A was to settle him in behind and with the climb to the first fence that helped him settle. “At the fence that he missed Ruby didn’t want to take the stride that was there because he didn’t want to get to the front. “Today was the first indication that he’ll get more than two-and-a-half miles and the first time he’s settled. “I was finding it hard to place him. He prefers going right-handed but I wouldn’t mind entering him to go left-handed. “The plan with Sir Des Champs is to go to the John Durkan so that’s not the preferred option with him. I’m not sure about plans - unless he travels." It was a first victory in the race for Mullins who added:- “It hasn’t been the luckiest of races for us.” (Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)
