Advertisement
Ruby Walsh on Vautour wins. INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Report

Ruby Walsh and Vantour triumph as The Tullow Tank's winning run comes to an end

“It’s a bit of a relief after the way Ivan Grozny ran in the first”, a relieved Willie Mullins said.

Horse racing news brought to you in association with GallopsLive.com

THE HIGHLY REGARDED Vautour put an end to The Tullow Tank’s Grade 1 winning run, making all to grab the gold in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle under Ruby Walsh.

With a lack of any early pace in the Grade 1 contest, Walsh was happy to send Willie Mullins’ charge to the front and that is where he would stay for the 2m 2f trip, extending from the back of the last to see off the staying on The Tullow Tank.

The Tullow Tank was sent off a well supported 9/10 favourite, but never seemed to be travelling all that well under Danny Mullins as he attempted to rack up a hat trick of Grade 1 victories this season.

He began to hang on the turn into the home straight but still showed plenty of quality to stay on gamely for 2nd.

It was all about Mullins’ French bred five-year-old though and rightly so, as he gave connections a second straight victory in the race after Champagne Fever’s success last season.

“It’s a bit of a relief after the way Ivan Grozny ran in the first”, a relieved Mullins said.  “We were worried there would be no pace in the race, so I told Ruby not to be afraid to make it.  If you have a good horse you have to have a good pace.

“He jumped well in front and I am very happy with him.  He did it the hard way making the running for the rest and they had their go at him and he just galloped away.

“I would think he will go for the Supreme Novices now.”

Victorious jockey Walsh was also forthcoming in his praise for the winner:  “We have always liked him and he did it very nicely.  He had some experience from France and he jumps, gallops and stays and he has a great attitude.

“He is only five and he should improve provided we can keep him in one piece.”

image

Here’s why the first ever Irish trek to the North Pole could be the last ever by humans>

A young BOD and nightmare hotels in Sochi: Some of the week’s best sportswriting>