Un De Sceaux makes amends with victory at Fairyhouse

Un De Sceaux made amends for falling on his chasing debut last month with a no-nonsense victory at Fairyhouse.

The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old blotted an otherwise impeccable copybook at Thurles in late November after he crashed out three fences from home when seemingly in supreme control.

It was an entirely different story at Fairyhouse as Un De Sceaux stayed composed throughout to easily claim the two-mile Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.

Ruby Walsh predictably gave the 1 to 5 favourite the freedom to express himself, and the partnership swiftly built up a commanding lead.

Un De Sceaux jumped with trademark enthusiasm from flag-fall, and there was no sign of the lack of concentration which cost him victory at Thurles.

Runner-up Smashing gave chase up the run-in, but it could hardly have been considered a contest.

Mullins said of Un De Sceaux’s 12-length victory: “He had a scare at the first but he improved his jumping after and was a lot more sure at them.

“That probably frightened him and steadied him up. He took more notice of his fences after.

“I don’t know where he’ll go now, it’s a bit close to Christmas.

“I think there is a winners’ race at Naas on January 4th but that might be a bit soon, also.

“I might wait to the middle of January. He’s so hard on himself in races so I won’t rush him back to the track.

“He’s a grand horse in the stables but in his races he’s very very keen.”

It was a swift double for Mullins and Walsh as Val De Ferbet made a winning fencing debut in the Promote Your Business At Fairyhouse In 2015 Beginners Chase.

Prominent all the way, he led two out where nearest pursuer Thunder And Roses fell, leaving the way clear for a three-and-a-quarter-length victory over 2 to 1 favourite Noble Emperor.

Mullins said of the 3 to 1 winner: “It was a very good performance. He jumped like a handicapper and was gaining lengths at his fences.

“Obviously he’ll have to go up in grade now. I was thinking he was more of a three-mile horse, but after today’s performance I think he could come back in trip if a nice race presents itself.

“We’ll just try and find the right race for him over two and a half or three miles.”

There was a reverse for the all-conqueing Mullins and Walsh as the odds-on Uradel had to settle for fourth in the Book Online At fairyhouse.ie 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle that went the way of 5 to 1 newcomer Thunder Zone.

The Gordon Elliott-trained winner joined long-timer leader Uradel at the second-last and soon asserted going to the final flight.

Ring Chief tried to make a race of it but Kevin Sexton’s mount stayed on well, coming home with three lengths in hand.

“He doesn’t show a lot at home and I’d say he likes that soft ground,” said Elliott.

“I’m not sure how strong a race it was, but he did the job nicely. He’ll come on a little bit with his jumping.

“All his form on the Flat looked like he was better on soft and I wouldn’t say he’s a good ground horse.

“He’s in at Leopardstown next week in all those races. The juveniles don’t look the strongest so it wouldn’t be a big surprise if he turned out again.”

Normal service was resumed as French import Arbre De Vie made a winning start in the Fairyhouse Membership 2015 Maiden Hurdle.

Walsh sat just off the pace in fourth before leading three out, going clear of Catalaunian Fields and maintaining that advantage to the line to reward those who sent him off the 2 to 5 favourite.

Mullins said: “He’s more of a stayer. He gallops and jumps. I’ll probably go out further in trip with him and he might go for a two-mile-six or something when we are ready to see him back.

“He looks like a staying chaser. It’s all staying in his pedigree.”