Zaidpour lands Galmoy

Voler La Vedette: Finished second to Zaidpour

Zaidpour completed a hat-trick when lowering the colours of classy mare Voler La Vedette in the Grade Two John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle.

Ruby Walsh dictated affairs on Willie Mullins' charge, firstly setting a slow early pace then letting Whatuthink do some of the donkey work on the final circuit of this three-mile contest.

Walsh set sail for home after the third-last and though Voler La Vedette put in a strong challenge, Zaidpour always held the upper hand and won by a length.

The pair pulled a long way clear of Chicago Grey, who was third of the five runners.

Fast Or Slow

Walsh said: "I didn't know whether to go slow in front or follow her (Voler La Vedette).

"I'd given her a lead the last twice and she swept past and I thought she might do the same again.

"It was clear at the start no-one was going to make it (the running), so I sauntered along in front.

"He just loves soft ground - you couldn't have it soft enough for him."

Mullins added: "The tactics and ride won it for him. Ruby gave him a very sharp ride. I don't know where he'll go at Cheltenham, the Champion or the World Hurdle.

"Today's race wasn't a trial for either race as they went no gallop but his connections would like to run at Cheltenham. That's his ground."

Sky Bet make the winner a 16-1 chance from 20s for the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March but Stan James and Boylesports were more impressed going 12-1 and 14s respectively.