Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins can get Irish off to another flyer

Vautour can get punters off to a flying start by taking the opening JLT Novices’ Chase for the in-form team of Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh.

The six-year-old, so impressive in last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at this meeting, looked to have the chasing world at his feet when making a most impressive debut over the larger obstacles at Navan back in November.

However, he clearly wasn’t himself when runner-up Clarcam reversed the form emphatically at Leopardstown next time out. He didn’t have the most difficult of assignments on his next and most recent start, in a three-horse race at the same track.