18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure

Vautour bombing ahead of Xmas target

Vautour making an impressive chase debut at NavanVautour making an impressive chase debut at Navan
© Photo Healy Racing

Ruby Walsh admits it will be a wrench to abandon Vautour in pursuit of even greater riches at Kempton on December 26.

With Champagne Fever and Faugheen in action in the William Hill King George VI Chase and in the Christmas Hurdle respectively, Walsh is unable to compete at the big Leopardstown meeting on the same day.

That means he cannot ride last season's Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Vautour, who made a high-class chasing debut at Navan in November and runs in the Racing Post Novice Chase.

Walsh told the Irish Examiner: "It will literally break my heart to leave Vautour behind at Leopardstown.

"He is absolutely bombing right now."

Of his Kempton duo, Walsh said: "Champagne Fever is the right type of horse for the King George, he jumps great and has pace.

"But I am under no illusions about the task that faces him and believe Silviniaco Conti will prove a tough nut to crack.

"Faugheen has come on plenty for his initial outing of the campaign and, obviously, now that The New One is going to swerve Kempton that will make his task all the easier."