Racing:Willie Mullins feels Sous Les Cieux is ready for a step up in grade after turning in a most impressive performance in the Fairyhouse Membership 2012 Maiden Hurdle.
The five-year-old had been beaten at odds-on when making his Irish debut at this track in January, but had interestingly chased home Cheltenham Festival-winning stablemate Sir Des Champs when both were trained in France previously.
Sent off at prohibitive odds of 3-10 for this seasonal debut, the market leader oozed class under Ruby Walsh, cruising clear without being asked a question to score by six and a half lengths.
“Sous Les Cieux shows a lot at home and while he is still a bit novicey, he’ll be a better horse in a race with more pace,” said Mullins.
“He’ll have no trouble coming back to two miles and we’ll have to see where we go now next — I’d not be afraid to bring him anywhere. He’s entered in the Royal Bond and we’ll have to have a think about that.”
Stan James make Sous Les Cieux 20-1 for both the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle and the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham next March.
Mullins had earlier been forced to rule Hurricane Fly out of this weekend’s Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown, but it turned out to be a good day for the champion trainer.
Mullins and Walsh also struck with Ceol Rua (8-11 favourite), who had no trouble landing the Christmas Party Race Day On 17th December At Fairyhouse Maiden Hurdle.
“Ceol Rua jumped a lot better today than her previous run and is improving, although she is still very careful,” Mullins said.
“She’ll move up in grade gradually and I’d like to find a mares’ race for her, otherwise we’ll find a winners of one.”
Walsh rode three winners in total, guiding 7-2 chance Savello to a narrow win in the Fairyhouse Premier National Hunt Weekend Hurdle, while Mullins bagged his own treble courtesy of Are Ya Right Chief in the bumper.