Late Yorkhill decision pays a rich dividend for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh

Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh did what they do best at the Festival: got off to a flyer.

Yorkhill’s final destination was not known until Monday afternoon but the decision to run in yesterday’s Neptune Novices’ Hurdle rather than the Supreme on Tuesday, reaped rich reward when the imposing gelding maintained his unbeaten record in completed starts in all spheres with a most impressive display.

Quite quirky he can be, but oh so talented. Brought the brave route, along the inside, the 3-1 chance travelled strongly, if a little keenly, until having his momentum checked when he raced up the back of O O Seven on the bend at the top of the hill.