Out on his own - juvenile ace Vauban oozes class to make it nine for Mullins

Saturday: Punchestown

There was little doubt going into the race about Vauban being the top juvenile hurdler around, but he cemented that status with as easy a success as could have been hoped for over his old rival Fil Dor, as Willie Mullins ended the week with nine Grade 1s, seven of them ridden by Paul Townend.

They went a very steady pace and Townend was happy to let Fil Dor have a soft lead in front and could not have ridden the winner with more confidence.

Davy Russell tried to up the tempo after the second-last, but Townend breezed past him going to the final flight and he sauntered home from there to score by four lengths. None of the others could land any sort of blow. HMS Seahorse was 14 lengths further back in third, while four lengths further back in fourth was the winner's stable companion Il Etait Temps.

“He did what he had to do there and did it very well,” said Mullins. “He has very few races under his belt and Paul said he's still only learning. He's able to get down and hurdle properly now. He settled well and was able to change gear. He looks hugely exciting.”

“He had very few races on the Flat before we bought him and he won a Listed race in France when we had him. There was huge interest in him after that and I'm sure Rich [Ricci] could have turned over a tidy profit had he sold him. The Australians wanted him, he looked an ideal type for down there, and who knows, he might well go down there for a Melbourne Cup some day, you never know.”

“He looks to be a Champion Hurdle horse for next year though. Somebody told me that Triumph Hurdle winners don't have a great record in this race, but he looks a star for the future.

"We'll have a chat with Rich now and see what we want to do for next year. He's done a lot this year. He will be a young horse going for the Champion Hurdle next year and five-year-olds don't have a great record in that race, but we shall see.”

Perhaps any other year, Fil Dor would have been a worthy champion juvenile, but this is the third straight Grade 1 where he has seen the backside of Vauban at the finish.

Trainer Gordon Elliott said: “There are no excuses. We've run against him three times and he's beaten us three times. He's run well. He'll probably go chasing next season.”

Read these next:

'You don't always get what you expect' - Rock upsets Epatante in thriller

Perfect day for Appleby after Coroebus overturns Native Trail

Royal Ascot target for Umm Kulthum after Listed success

Donkey Years makes up for numerous near misses in Punchestown drizzle

GET READY FOR THE 2022 FLAT SEASON WITH OUR BRILLIANT STABLE TOUR SERIES

Over 50% off Racing Post Members' Club! Members' Club is the only subscription racing fans and punters need in order to stay informed and make smarter betting decisions. Features include early access to the Racing Post digital newspaper, exclusive news and interviews, premium tips and form study tools to assist with betting. Select 'Get Ultimate monthly' and enter code TRYME to get your first month for just £14.99* – that's better than half price! Subscribe now If you decide that Members' Club is not for you, then you can cancel at anytime by contacting us.

*Members' Club Ultimate monthly first month will be charged at £14.99, renews at full price thereafter