Valseur Lido and Davy Russell in front in Fairyhouse © Photo Healy Racing
Valseur Lido franked the form of the Supreme Novices Hurdle as he delivered in the Grade 2 Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
The five-year-old hunted down Real Steel and was going noticeably better than his rival as the pair were upsides approaching the last. Valseur Lido cleared that obstacle in the lead and strode on to win by four and a quarter lengths. He was nicely backed at 4/1 before racing down to an SP of 5/2.
Real Steel, who was a market drifter throughout the day before being backed from 14s to 8/1 on course, ran well from the front, but had no answer to the winner when he went past. He was though 14 lengths clear of third-placed Double Irish (14/1).
“That was good improvement. I think it was a better race than we thought it would be,” said Willie Mullins.
“It was a good ride by Davy – he bided his time. I love the battling qualities of the horse and think he should probably get another half mile.
“He's always been a brilliant jumper. He pulled out a lot today that he didn't show at Cheltenham but that was maybe the quality of the race.
“He'll head to Punchestown. He'll be entered in everything and could go any trip but if the ground got better he could go longer.”
“Wicklow Brave was disappointing and probably Cheltenham took its toll. Maybe City Slicker didn't like the hood – there is something bothering him.”
This was a double on the day for owners Gigginstown House Stud (also successful with Lieutenant Colonel on the card) and a Fairyhouse treble for Willie Mullins who scored with Adriana Des Mottes and Arvika Ligeonniere
Valseur Lido was 10th to Vautour in the Supreme Novices Hurdle in Cheltenham. Wicklow Brave who was sixth in that race in Cheltenham, ran in this contest and was the 5/4 favourite but weakened out of contention to finish sixth today.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
