Jasmin De Vaux bounces back for more Cheltenham success

Jasmin De Vaux added to last year’s Champion Bumper success when staying on strongly to strike in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Paul Townend gave the six-year-old a patient ride but came through smoothly to take control entering the home straight.

Market leader The Big Westerner threw down a strong challenge at the final flight but 6-1 chance Jasmin De Vaux maintained his advantage on the run-in to prevail by two and a half lengths and give trainer Willie Mullins his fourth win of the day.

Successful trainer Willie Mullins said: “We have done a lot of schooling with him as he is just so unnatural jumping. I think Paul said he banked the third last, but I couldn’t quite see that on television.

"He jumped the last two well when he wanted him to. We know he has an engine, it is just about getting him from A to B. Going that bit slower over a trip has made a difference.“He might even jump fences better than hurdles, but we will see, however he will probably go novice chasing next season.“I thought Paul picked the wrong one as I thought he should have been on Argento Boy, who ran disappointingly. Paul has always felt this lad had an engine, it was just a case of getting him around.“Most of those Champion Bumper winners turn out to be stayers. He had the pedigree and class so we felt it was worth going for this longer trip.“It did surprise me how well he was travelling. Seeing him sit last in the early part of the race I thought can he come from that far back, but Paul just gave him a very confident ride and that is the sort of frame of mind Paul is in at the moment. He made things happen for him.“Once he got over the second last I said it was his to lose now that was my view, but then again, with one hurdle left, and with one of the worst jumpers in racing, I said he would probably do that (meet it untidily).“I thought for a second once he landed over the last that he had thrown it away, but he did enough anyhow.”Winning rider Paul Townend said: “This lad takes a bit of warming up, he’s not the most straightforward, but he’s a classy individual. He showed that here last year – that was a huge pick from Patrick and I said, ‘If he picked him last year, I couldn’t leave him behind this year’.“I think a lot of it is just confidence with him and just getting into a rhythm – I thought there would be plenty go forward – and ride him for class.”On his mixed fortunes in today’s races so far, he said: “That’s the ups and downs of it, this game will bring you back down to earth quick enough. Every winner here is special, but we’ll keep this short and sweet and move onto the next one.”Henry de Bromhead, trainer of the second The Big Westerner, said: “We’re delighted with her; she ran a blinder. She just got into a little bit of trouble at the second-last, but ran really well. I very much hope she’s a chaser in the making.”Jockey Darragh O’Keeffe added: “I was able to take my time on her and she jumped well. Paul just jumped the last and was able to pull away, but she’s run an incredible race. She’s a very good mare and she’ll be exciting to go chasing next season with.”Lucinda Russell, trainer of third-placed Derryhassen Paddy, said: “I’m delighted with him and I just can’t wait for him to go over fences. I get very emotional about him - Scu loves him - he’s just a great, big, honest horse, and here he is. He shouldn’t really be going hurdling, but he hasn’t done too badly! He won’t run again this season - I think we’ve got away with it.”