Vautour voted most impressive novice at the Cheltenham Festival
Published:
Connections of impressive JLT Novices’ Chase hero Vautour have another victory to bask in after their charge was voted the most impressive novice at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.
Ahead of Gold Cup day, a whopping 73 per cent of Ladbrokes News readers made Willie Mullins’ imperious charge their juvenile of choice following his eye-catching performance on the third day at Prestbury Park.
Vautour’s 15L trouncing ahead of nearest rival Apache Stronghold was achieved in effortless fashion with the six-year-old pinging every fence before driving home to secure a facile success.
Given the nature of events this week it’s perhaps unsurprising that Mullins’ fearsome set of stable stars also filled in the places in our poll.
RSA Chase winner Don Poli finished second with 20 per cent of the vote while Arkle victor Un De Sceaux nabbed third on 7 per cent.
It was bad news for Neptune Novices’ Investment Management Hurdle winner Windsor Park and Supreme Novices’ Hurdle champion Douvan though.
They both failed to attract a single vote and ended up well off the pace.
Of course, given that this poll was conducted before the off on the final day there are two other notables who could well have taken the honours.
Triumph Hurdle winner Peace and Co looked special while Coneygree’s incredible victory in the Gold Cup landed a huge blow for the younger crop of superstars.
In making all in the hands of Nico de Boinville, the eight-year-old became the first novice winner of the Festival’s biggest event since Captain Christy in 1974.
Who has been your most impressive novice at the Cheltenham Festival?
Vautour – 73%
Don Poli – 20%
Un De Sceaux – 7%
Windsor Park – 0%
Douvan – 0%
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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