Vautour© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins is set to break one of his own rules at Punchestown by running Vautour in the Boylesports Champion Chase. Previously Mullins has always resisted running novices against their elders but such is the regard in which he holds Vautour, he is leaning towards allowing it to happen.
"Vautour, on his day, is as good a racehorse as I've ever had," Mullins said.
"We're coming around to thinking that we will let Vautour take his chance in the BoyleSports Champion Chase.
"As I said to Ruby (Walsh), if I thought he was better than Faugheen then this is the race he should be going for. From what I've seen of him on the racetrack at Cheltenham last year and this year, he can go anywhere he likes I think. I think Vautour can jump at speed. You can put him anywhere in a race.
"I think I'd prefer Vautour rather than the other horse (Un De Sceaux) take it on as we have more options with him tactically, depending on what the other horses do in the race. Un De Sceaux has probably only one tactic.
"If all goes well between now and the race, and he works well, Vautour looks like he'll go there with Twinlight. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with Champagne Fever but, after his disappointing run the last day, we'll have to see how he is."
