Vautour suffers shock reverse at Leopardstown

Cheltenham Festival and Punchestown hero Vautour suffered his first defeat for Willie Mullins as Clarcam ran out a impressive winner of the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown for Gordon Elliott and Bryan Cooper.

Last season’s stunning Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Vautour had made a foot-perfect start to his career over fences at Navan last month and was the 1-4 favourite stepped up to Grade One level once again.

All appeared to be going well in the early stages, with Vautour largely fencing fluently in the hands of Paul Townend, but the complexion of the race changed in the back straight as he made a shuddering mistake five fences from the finish.

After being virtually picked up off the floor by Townend, Vautour was given time to find his feet, but Clarcam, well beaten by Vautour at Navan, galloped on relentlessly in front and had victory virtually sewn up rounding the home bend.

The 8-1 shot came up out of Cooper’s hands to produce a prodigious leap at the final fence, sealing his runaway success.

Ted Veale and Vautour dead-heated for the runner-up spot.