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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Valseur Lido brings up Mullins treble

Sun 6th Apr 2014, 16:55

Valseur Lido and Davy Russell in front in Fairyhouse 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

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.