‘Special’ Vautour excites Ricci

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite Vautour could take in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday ahead of his trip to Cheltenham in March.

The five-year-old is unbeaten after two starts for Ireland’s champion trainer Willie Mullins, but was made to work hard by Western Boy when long odds-on at Punchestown in early January.

Owner Rich Ricci is anticipating considerable improvement from his youngster.