Vautour blows away his rivals in Cheltenham JLT romp

Vautour restored his reputation with a performance in yesterday’s JLT Novices’ Chase which thrilled the 57,000-plus crowd present on day three of the Cheltenham Festival and even took away the breath of his connections.

“When you win a novice chase, running away by 15 lengths, it has to be up there with one of the best performances ever,” said trainer Willie Mullins, after witnessing a display of unrelenting brilliance.

Ruby Walsh, confident of his mount, set off in front, giving Vautour a clear sight of all obstacles, and he simply jumped for fun. Such was the exuberance with which the well-backed favourite attacked his fences, he drew applause from the crowd on more than one occasion during a flawless round.