Vautour bounces back to form at Leopardstown

Vautour got his fencing career back on track with a facile success in the Leopardstown Killiney Novice Chase at the Dublin course.

Willie Mullins' six-year-old put in a good clear round to make amends for his defeat at the same course over Christmas, where a bad mistake all but put paid to his chance.

There were no mishaps this time as Ruby Walsh let the 1-5 shot do his own thing up front. His jumping in the main was very good and he looked to have Real Steel well beaten when that horse came down at the last.

His exit left sole rival Aladdins Cave to take second spot a very healthy distance in arrears.

Mullins said: "I think he's back to himself. He did what he probably should have done at Christmas.

"He strode out a lot better and jumped a lot better, but I think he could still jump a lot better. He didn't jump as well as he did first time at Navan.

"It was a very good test. Probably in reality it was a match. The other horse (Real Steel) is rated 140 and has mixed it with the best novices.

"He put it up to him the whole way down the back and coming to the ditch and yet he was able to shrug him off and go away. I'm happy he's back to himself and think there is more to come.

"I think it was a just little muscle problem at Christmas. He appeared fine the day before when I left for Kempton but by the time he came to the racing he wasn't right.

"Two or three days later he was fine. Obviously he'd had a race and made a mistake so he was a little stiff but he came out of the race normally.

"I said to Ruby today to make sure he was warmed up plenty but he had ridden him in a good bit of work since Christmas and was happy with him.

"We'll see what Un De Sceaux does now. If he does what he looks capable of we'll try and keep them divided. I'll have to see what the other horses do also and talk to the owners.

"This fellow can go out in trip easily or go back. There is a lot of time between now and Cheltenham.

"He came back here to get back on track. At this stage I wouldn't think he would run again (before Cheltenham)."

Walsh said: "I was expecting Real Steel to make it, Bryan (Cooper) wanted to drop in so I changed tactics. I wasn't afraid of making it - he made it here last year when he won the (Deloitte) novice hurdle and he's made it at Cheltenham (to win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle).

"He went a nice, even gallop, jumped really well, was clever when he had to be, was brave when I wanted him - he won as he liked. I don't know how Real Steel was going when he fell behind me, but I always felt like I had plenty of horse.

"We've plenty of time to decide with regards to the JLT or the Arkle. He always struck me as a stayer - maybe you need a stayer to win an Arkle - but he always struck me as a horse that will appreciate a trip, definitely in time, whatever about his novice career."

Foxrock (6-1) ran out a game winner of the BoyleSports Handicap Chase to gain compensation for his narrow defeat on this course at Christmas.

Adrian Heskin brought Ted Walsh's seven-year-old to lead before the final fence and he galloped on resolutely to land the spoils for owner Barry Connell, going one better than in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase.

Byerley Babe (7-1) just held Heaney (33-1) for second place, five lengths behind the winner.

Walsh said: "It was a good performance, he did it really well.

"If he ran as well as in the Paddy Power I thought he was able and he was probably a better horse than in the Paddy Power.

"He quickened up well after the last and ran to the line. He jumped a bit high early on, but he's only seven and will improve.

"I just think it's an absolute disgrace that the programme committee put this race and the Thyestes on in the space of a week.

"The Leopardstown Chase should be on in February as no horse that is going to run in this is going to run in the Hennessy.

"We used to have the Paddy Power at Christmas, the Thyestes in January, the Leopardstown Chase in February and then the Irish National in late March. Those were the traditional dates.

"Anyway I'm delighted I won it! He'll get another 8lb or 9lb. He's finished in handicaps and if he's fresh and well he might run in the Hennessy or maybe the Bobbyjo, those type of races."

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