Class performance from Vauban

Former Triumph Hurdle winner Vauban followed up his seven and a half lengths win in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot by landing the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes at Naas on Monday in convincing fashion. Irish champion Colin Keane took over from Ryan Moore in the saddle and the five year old strode to a length and a half victory from the improving Valiant King. The Melbourne Cup at Flemington in November is the 160 rated hurdler's target and it will take a very good horse to beat him. A Listed winner on the Flat in France when trained by Philippe Decouz, he is a dual Grade 1 winner over timber and he showed speed and stamina at Naas. Depending on which route Willie Mullins elects to take next year, the Galiway gelding wouldn't look out of place in the Ascot Gold Cup next summer. 

Vauban is owned by Rich and Susannah Ricci and I am delighted to say I will be getting the rundown on the 'pink and green' later this week in an interview for One Jump Ahead. Lossiemouth and Gaelic Warrior provided the Ricci's with more Grade 1 success over jumps last term, with Rich and racing manager Joe Chambers steered readers in the right direction in last year's edition. 

In addition to Rich Ricci, I have arranged three more interviews later this week - details of those will be published on here once completed.

I have been in touch with the printer and webdesigner and, all being well, all the details of One Jump Ahead and Updates will be uploaded to the Publications section of the site in the next 48 hours and clients will then be able to pre order their copy. OJA is due to be published mid September.