Killultagh Vic

You could not have hoped for a more impressive performance from Killultagh Vic on his chasing debut over two miles at Fairyhouse on Saturday.

Travelling nicely for Ruby Walsh just behind the leaders through the early stages of the race, his rider allowed him stride on on the run to the sixth fence, so well was he travelling, and he just did everything easily. His jumping was assured and accurate, and he just eased clear to win by 15 lengths, beating horses rated 120, 131 and 128 over hurdles into second, third and fourth places respectively.

It is interesting that Willie Mullins started Killultagh Vic off here over fences over two miles. He was essentially a two-and-a-half-mile hurdler last season, but he stepped up in trip to win the Grade 1 novices’ hurdle over three miles at the Punchestown Festival. He beat Thistlecrack into second place that day, the pair of them clear of Shaneshill and Sub Lieutenant and No More Heroes. It was a high-class staying novices’ hurdle. It is also interesting that Mullins said after Saturday’s race that, when staying hurdlers jump as well as Killultagh Vic jumped, they can be effective over two miles over fences.

That said, you have to think that the Old Vic gelding will improve as he steps up in trip now over fences. He may not need to go to three miles, he has lots of pace, but he could be top class over two and a half. He progressed throughout last season, and he battled on bravely to land the Martin Pipe Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March off a mark of 135. The fact that he is a Cheltenham Festival winner is obviously an asset with one eye on this year’s Festival. He is so versatile that his target may depend on what some of his stable companions are doing, but he could be a JLT Chase horse or an RSA Chase horse. He will be of interest wherever he runs next.

19^th December 2015