13:35 Racing TV '12 Per Month This Weekend Only' Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1)

Race preview

VAUBAN was backed as if defeat was out of the question on his jumping debut when going down by a half-length to Pied Piper in a Punchestown maiden. That form received a major boost when the winner bolted up in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last Saturday and the Willie Mullins-trained gelding, twice successful on the Flat in France including a Listed race, can be expected to progress with that jumping experience under his belt. Fil Dor is the obvious threat having won all three hurdle starts in fine style. He drew clear on the run-in to beat Lunar Power for the second time at Graded level here at Christmas. Icare Allen won a 1m4f French bumper and remains unbeaten having got off to a good start for present connections by taking an 18-runner maiden at this venue. Any market move for the other Mullins pair, Il Etait Temps and Vadaly, would be interesting.