Voix Du Reve and Ruby Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
Voix Du Reve led home a one-two for Willie Mullins with an authoritative performance in the Grade One Ryanair Gold Cup Novice Chase in Fairyhouse. Mengli Khan set out to make all and had Voix Du Reve in his wing mirrors.
Voix Du Rve travelled smoothly for Ruby Walsh and the pair got on terms four out before moving ahead of Mengli Khan.
Voix Du Reve tanked along round the home bend and was still on the bridle jumping the third last three lengths to the good.
His stablemate Real Steel tried to chase him down coming to the penultimate fence but Voix Du Reve didn't relent as he jumped the last and was driven out to win by five and a half lengths at 9/4.
Real Steel, the 2/1 favourite, had to settle for second under Paul Townend.
Ruby Walsh said: "I was intending to keep the pressure on Jack (Kennedy on Mengli Khan); my horse stays well so I wanted it to be more of a test than a sprint.
"When I get a length or two ahead of Paul (Townend on Real Steel) going to it (the last) he slows down again and gets on a perfect stride and goes away well from the back of the last."
Willie Mullins said: “It’s great for Graham Wylie who hasn’t had the luckiest of seasons and it’s nice to get a Grade One for him.
“He’s a very keen horse who is probably bred to get a bit further. Now that he’s relaxing a bit more in his races he’s getting a bit further.
“He was travelling well when he went in the JLT at Cheltenham but he’s got his compensation today.
“I was delighted with the way Real Steel stayed on as it looked like he wasn’t appreciating the ground but as he loosed out he was staying on well. He will definitely stay further.
“Both horses will go to Punchestown all being well.”
Paddy Power cut Voix Du Reve from 10/1 to 7/1 for the Ryanair Novice Chase.
Mullins also had a one-two in Cork today as Lac Kivu led home Whiskey Sour in the FBD Insurance Hurdle.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
