Citizen Vic has always looked like he'd find his true vocation when sent over fences and he put behind a couple of ordinary efforts over the larger obstacles, by making all and jumping soundly to land the April Festival Beginners Chase by five lengths at Punchestown.
Ruby Walsh had only ridden the seven-year-old son of Old Vic once before (that when landing a Ballinrobe maiden hurdle) and he again got the best out of the 5/1 chance, who made the most of the others sloppy jumping, joint favourites Browns Baily making mistakes and Chasing Cars being close up when falling four out.
The tail swishing Corskeagh Royale could make no impression from before the last with twenty five lengths back to Browns Baily.
Winning trainer, Willie Mullins said of Citizen Vic: "He jumped great in front. I'm not quite sure - Ruby said we should go for a longer trip, I thought we should go for a shorter trip. We'll have to see. He'll run again in a few weeks and we'll see where he fits in with the other novices."
