One to four favourite Ut De Sivola maintained his unbeaten record in Irish when proving a slightly fortunate winner of the Grade 3 Visit Punchestown.com Juvenile Hurdle at Punchestown today.
Jockey Ruby Walsh appeared to have plenty left on the winner as the pair moved to challenge Hisaabaat on the turn for home but then had to get to work on the approach to the final flight.
The race was in the balance until Hisaabaat blundered away his winning chance at that obstacle, leaving Ut De Sivola to be pushed out for a three and a quarter lengths win.
Afterwards winning trainer Willie Mullins stated “Ut De Sivola’s better jumping won it for him.
“He was very keen early on and got caught on the outside. I’m hoping he’ll improve from that and we’ll probably look to run him again on Hennessy day – the experience will do him no harm.”
Stan James bookmakers subsequently cut Ut De Sivola to 10/1 (from 12/1) for the Triumph Hurdle.
