Although a sedate pace didn’t really play into the hands of his rivals, Willie Mullins’ gelding couldn’t have been more impressive when asked for his effort, bounding away to record a two-and-a-half length victory.
The seven-year-old is now best-price 4/1 (Sportingbet) for what looks to be a very competitive Champion Hurdle in March. He has yet to race in Britain, having missed the last two Festivals due to injury, but if he makes it there in one piece the weight of Irish money could easily see him go off a well-backed favourite.
Elsewhere at Leopardstown, Big Zeb's victory in the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase ensured he remains the second-favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at best-price 7/2 (Bet365 and Victor Chandler). Master Minded still heads the market at best-price 15/8 (Sportingbet).
The shock of the day was First Lieutenant lowering the colours of Zaidpour in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle. The race was run at a farcical pace but a potential Festival winner should still have managed to reel in First Lieutenant after the last.
"It was probably a bit too soon for him," said Rich Ricci, Zaidpour's owner. "He just never looked right today, to be honest. Even in the paddock here, it didn't look like he was really wanting to race. He was looking around and Paul [Townend, his rider] said he didn't gallop down well to the start. But fair play to the winner and we'll have our day."
Bookmakers reacted by easing Zaidpour out to best-price 10/1 (William Hill) for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and best-price 9/1 for the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle (Stan James).
Consequently, Cue Card has been cut to best-price 5/2 (Bet365) favouritism for the Supreme Novices’, whilst First Lieutenant has introduced at best-price 20/1 (Totesport).
Meanwhile, Big Buck’s has been cut to best-price 4/7 favourite (Bet365) for the World Hurdle at the Festival after continuing his imperious form over hurdles with another classy victory in the Long Walk Hurdle at Newbury.
Also impressive on Wednesday at Newbury - in the Challow Novices’ Hurdle - Backspin has been introduced at best-price 10/1 (Totesport) for the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle, whilst Ghizao shortened further at the head of the market for the Arkle Chase after an authoritative performance in the Andover Novices’ Steeplechase. Ahead of this run we reported he was best-price 12/1 for the Arkle and the best-price to be found now is 6/1 (Paddy Power).
Grandouet was cut to best-price 16/1 (William Hill) for the Triumph Hurdle following a facile victory in the Juvenile Hurdle and Rock On Ruby received a best-price quote of 12/1 (Paddy Power) for the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle after winning the Introductory Hurdle.
Pride Of Dulcote has been installed as a best-price 25/1 (Victor Chandler) shot for the Cheltenham Gold Cup after narrowly defeating Punchestowns in the Graduation Steeplechase. The latter has been eased out slightly for the same race, also now best-price 25/1 (Totesport).
Hurricane Fly (blue colours) in the Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown - he is now best-price 4/1 for the Champion Hurdle
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