Vauban Dominates

Vauban travelled stylishly before asserting in the closing stages of the Triumph Hurdle to give Willie Mullins and Paul Townend another winner in the colours of Rich Ricci.

A switch to the Flat for the Melbourne Cup and next year’s Champion Hurdle are now on the list of potential targets for Willie Mullins.

Gordon Elliott pair Fil Dor and Pied Piper ran with credit in defeat to fill the places and Icare Allen was an eyecatcher, staying on well again to take fourth.

Going Report

After another dry night, the going is officially good to soft on the New course for day four of the Cheltenham Festival.

Non-runners

Falcon Eight and The Real Whacker are both out of this afternoon’s Albert Bartlett.

Zamparelli has been scratched from the 4.10 and Reserve Tank is out of the finale on the card.

Leading Trainer

Vauban extended Willie Mullins’ lead at the top of the Leading Trainer leaderboard for the week and Paul Townend has gone clear in his bid to finish as top jockey with four wins.

Sky Bet offer

Don’t forget you can get £10 back as cash with Skybet if your horse finishes 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th in Friday’s opener (T&C’s apply).