ARAMON ONE TO WATCH AFTER WIN

RUBY WALSH GUIDES CHARGE TO DOMINANT VICTORY

Aramon ran out a dominant winner of the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Willie Mullins had saddled four previous winners of the Grade One contest – including each of the last three – and this year had readied a twin assault.

Having finished third behind stablemate Quick Grabim in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse on his latest outing, Aramon was a 6-1 chance in the hands of Ruby Walsh, with stablemate Sancta Simona a better-fancied 5-2 chance under Barry Geraghty.

Walsh settled Aramon at the rear of the six-strong field for much of the twomile journey, but was travelling powerfully in behind the leaders rounding the home turn.

Once the gap came, the five-year-old joined Sancta Simona for the lead at the final flight and fairly shot clear on the run-in, coming home with 10 lengths in hand. Tintangle was three lengths further back in third.

Mullins said: “It was a pleasant surprise that he did it in that manner. When Sancta Simona took the lead turning for home, I thought the race was over.

“I could see Ruby coming through, but I didn’t think he had that much in the tank. It was unbelievable what he pulled out.

“He obviously likes this ground, it’s nice and lively out there.

“Supreme Horse Racing look like they’ve found a real good horse, which is good for them. There’s a good crew of them here.

“He has to go down the Grade One route now. That looks like his trip, on that ground, and it’s nice to win a Grade One race for Supreme Racing here.”

Dynamite Dollars gave 5lb and a beating to Kalashnikov in the 32Red.com Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton.

Providing Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden with another big-race success barely 24 hours on from their King George triumph with Clan Des Obeaux, Dynamite Dollars propelled himself to the head of the betting for the Arkle Trophy in the process.

Nicholls said: “He jumped really well. He is improving and learned a lot at Cheltenham when he was second that day. He was good at Sandown and has improved again.

“He stays and jumps and is a proper two-miler. I thought the track would be a bit sharp round here.

“He did that really tidy, though – giving 5lb to Kalashnikov is no mean feat and that is a really good performance.”

Also at Kempton, Altior ridden by Nico de Boinville, won The Unibet Desert Orchid Chase.