Punchestown Festival: Compensation awaits for ultra-classy Vautour

David Metcalf | April 25, 2016

Vautour impossible to oppose in Champion Chase

Vautour blotted his copybook when falling last time out but looks a worthy red-hot favourite with Coral to get back to winning ways in the Grade 1 Champion Chase on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival (17.30).

The Willie Mullins trained seven-year-old is a triple winner at the Cheltenham Festival having claimed the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2014, the JLT Novices’ Chase in 2015, and this year’s 2m 5f Ryanair Chase in impressive fashion.

Vautour looked awesome in the latter, travelling ominously well on the heels of the leaders before taking up the lead and cruising clear two from home.

The gelding then barely had to come out of second gear to saunter up the hill and beat Valseur Lido by six lengths.

Stunning performance

Vautour was value for much more than the winning margin and it was a stunning display of power and speed.

The son of Robin Des Champs is clearly something very special, and although he fell at the ninth in the Melling Chase at Aintree when last seen in action that was uncharacteristic as he is normally a superb jumper.

Vautour also has a very high cruising speed and won’t be inconvenienced by the drop back to 2m, and possesses a potent turn of pace.