Success for classy De Vassy in Opera Hat Chase Talented mare Allegorie De Vassy (5/2) bounced back to her best in winning at Naas today, continuing her trainer Willie Mullins' dominance of the featured Listed BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Mares Chase. Runner-up in last year's Cheltenham Mrs Paddy Power Chase, Allegorie De Vassy had flopped when finishing 33 lengths second to Riviere D'etel on New Year's Day but today completely turned that form around, beating that rival by four lengths. The winner blundered at today's opening fence and was off the pace early-on but eventually arrived into contention early in the home straight, with winning jockey Paul Townend initially stalking leader Riviere D'etel until passing her at the last. Trainer Mullins — now successful in seven of the past nine renewals including with Cheltenham winners Benie Des Dieux and Elimay, reported “that was a better performance especially considering how badly she jumped over the first four fences. “She just wasn’t herself and it took her until about the fourth-last before she really started to jump and then she got into a rhythm and flew. “We might have been lucky that the two in front took each other on. It might not have been as flashy as we thought it was. “I’m happy enough with how she’s run, and she’ll go for the Mares Chase at Cheltenham.” Paddy Power cut Allegorie De Vassy to 7/2 (from 5s, NRNB) for the Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase. Quotes from Alan Magee
