3 minute read
Valseur Lido made it two wins from two starts over fences as he pulled clear of his rivals late on for an impressive victory.
Sent off the 7-2 second favourite, he was completing a Grade 1 double for Bryan Cooper and owners Gigginstown Stud, having been successful with Lieutenant Colonel earlier.
This was also a treble on the card for trainer Willie Mullins who had scored with Kalkir and Nichols Canyon.
Valseur Lido was one of four in the race to carry the Gigginstown colours and it was another of their representatives, Real Steel, who cut out much of the running despite continually jumping to his left.Tracking that one throughout was Apache Stronghold under a typically cool ride from Paul Carberry, but the two who had raced prominently throughout were reeled in by Cooper's mount down the straight and the further Valseur Lido went the further he pulled clear, crossing the line eight lengths to the good.
Winning owner Michael O Leary said: "He is one of a number Willie has. It will take a while to work out where they are in Willie's pecking order. I think all my horses have run well there and I am delighted with them.
"Bryan said that Valseur Lido had plenty in the tank at the end and hopefully we can keep them all fit and well."
Bookmakers reacted to the result by cutting Valseur Lido to around the 5-1 mark for the JLT Novices' Chase, a race his stablemate Vautour is favourite for.
Where connections go next with The Tullow Tank remains to be seen. Sent off the 7-4 favourite for this race, he was never a factor.
