'We saw how big an engine he had when he won the bumper at Cheltenham' - acid hurdles test for Jasmin De Vaux

Last season's Champion Bumper winner Jasmin De Vaux will have to jump more slickly than he did on his hurdles debut at Navan last month to make a winning start in Grade 1 company, particularly given there are plenty in this field open to huge amounts of improvement.

There's no doubting the six-year-old's power, best exemplified by his strong staying performance at Cheltenham last season when he flew home off a strong gallop to collar Romeo Coolio to win by a length and three-quarters.

He wasn't in the same form at Punchestown afterwards but the drier ground probably wasn't in his favour, while he was far too keen when held up off a slow pace. His highly anticipated hurdles debut at Navan wouldn't have been pleasant viewing for those who took the 1-3 odds, as he showed a tendency to jump hesitantly early on.

However, he travelled powerfully to the second-last and cleared it well, albeit out to his right, before fiddling the last, which gave The Enabler a chance, but the winner regained the upper hand close home.

The form of the race couldn't have worked out much better with the runner-up and third, Workahead, both landing maiden hurdles at Leopardstown over Christmas and this step up in trip could really see him progress, given he was a stout stayer in bumpers.

Tactics will be intriguing as he was held up off the pace at Cheltenham and Punchestown last season, and those tactics could be used again as he didn't seem to enjoy being in front in the early and latter stages of the Navan race.

Gordon Elliott relies on two for Bective Stud and The Yellow Clay wasn't too far off Jasmin De Vaux in bumpers and has landed his first three starts over hurdles. He was impressive in the Grade 3 Monksfield Novice Hurdle on his penultimate start, beating Where's My Jet by ten lengths, but was made to work hard by Fleur In The Park in Grade 2 company last time before showing a tremendous attitude to prevail.

A slowly run 2m4f didn't seem to suit him that day as he took a long time to get on top, so he will need them to go a decent clip here, and stablemate Wingmen could play that role. He was no match for Country Mile at Cheltenham last time over 2m1f but this step up in trip should suit, and he likes to get on with things.

Jasmin De Vaux: won last year's Champion BumperCredit: Alan Crowhurst (racingpost.com/photos)

Butch Cassidy landed a bumper for Philip Fenton in April and made a winning start for the Henry de Bromhead stable at Leopardstown, beating Sermandzarak by half a length with the reopposing Shuffle The Deck in third. He looked a fine prospect on that occasion, showing plenty of resolution, given the runner-up seemed to have the upper hand going to the last in what turned into a sprint.

It is worth chancing Shuffle The Deck reversing the form and landing this for Ted Walsh. He shaped nicely that day, just lacking the speed to reel in the front two, but he made no mistake when winning at this course and distance last month.

He jumped well and was doing only the bare minimum up the run-in to hold off Eastern Legend by three and a quarter lengths, while he clocked a strong time. There was plenty to like that day and he's on an upward curve, so rates the selection.

Of Mullins' other contenders, Supersundae has claims based on his seventh in last season's Supreme, given he was beaten only ten and a half lengths and his jumping left a bit to be desired. His jumping was better when he got off the mark at Ballinrobe in May but he was very keen, so will need to settle.

Plontier ran well when fourth in the Royal Bond but will need much more in a race like this, while Spasiba was reasonably impressive at this track in November but looks up against it.

'He should run a huge race' - Mullins looking forward to Supersundae spin

Willie Mullins (five), Gordon Elliott (four) and Henry de Bromhead (one) have been trading blows in the Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle in the last decade.

All three saddle leading contenders again but many will fancy Mullins to have the answer as he saddles four chances led by Champion Bumper winner Jasmin De Vaux.

He gave Closutton a special success at Cheltenham last season by bringing up 100 festival winners for the stable when staying on powerfully under under Patrick Mullins to deny Romeo Coolio, and the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned gelding made a winning start to life over hurdles at Navan, despite jumping errors.

Assistant trainer Patrick Mullins, who thinks Jasmin De Vaux's jumping technique has improved since then, said: "Paul [Townend] has obviously chosen Jasmin De Vaux and we saw how big an engine he had when he won the bumper at Cheltenham last year. 

"His jumping in Navan left room for improvement and we think he has improved his technique at home, but he just could be a horse that needs lot of racing experience to really get the hang of it.

Mullins rides Supersundae, who finished a respectable seventh on his stable debut in the Supreme last season and got off the mark at Ballinrobe in May, while the stable is also responsible for Plontier and Spasiba.

"I'm delighted to get back on Supersundae," said Mullins. "I thought he ran an absolute blinder in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on his debut for us. This is his first run back off a long break but I think he should run a huge race.

"Plontier has been inter-railing around Europe most of his life and ran reasonably well in Fairyhouse, and he should be competitive once again, while Spasiba won around the track and is hard fit from racing on the Flat during the summer, so he should have a chance of collecting some decent prize-money."

What they say

Rachael Blackmore, rider of Butch Cassidy
He showed a really good attitude the last day to get the better of Sermandzarak. Back in third that day was Shuffle The Deck, who reopposes and who has since won his maiden hurdle at Naas. It's a very good race, Jasmin De Vaux and The Yellow Clay are both unbeaten over hurdles too, but everything has gone well with him since his seasonal return. He has done everything well and we're really looking forward to seeing if he can step up. He's a very exciting horse for the future.

Ted Walsh, trainer of Shuffle The Deck
I was happy with him the last day when he won at Naas and this race looked the logical next step for him to take. Hopefully, he puts up a good show. He's a fine big horse that will improve with time and we will know a lot more after today. 

Gordon Elliott, trainer of The Yellow Clay and Wingmen
The Yellow Clay is a very honest and tough horse who knows how to win. He's not very flashy at home but has been in good form. The step back up in trip should suit Wingmen as he was on his head the whole way over shorter at Cheltenham the last day.

Read more . . .

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