While Vautour ’ s 15-length demolition job in the JLT Novices ’ Chase was breathtaking , almost as significant was the reaction of trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh . They clearly feel he is the cream of their crop and are talking 2016 Gold Cup . But he shows so much speed , at this stage I would favour his RSA Chase-winning stablemate Don Poli for that race ahead of him . Vautour and Ruby Walsh romp home to a 15-length victory in the JLT Novices ' Chase . Trainer Willie Mullins ( bottom right ) and Walsh have the 2016 Gold Cup in mind for Vautour . Darna gave jockey David Bass a first Festival win in the Brown Advisory and Merriebell Stable Plate and underlined the resurgence of trainer Kim Bailey . It is 20 years since Bailey landed the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup double with Alderbrook and Master Oats . David Bass cheers after Darna gave him a first Festival win in the Brown Advisory and Merriebell Stable Plate . Martin still on the ball . A second win at the meeting for trainer David Pipe , courtesy of The Package in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup , had his father and my old boss , Martin , buzzing . ‘ It was a certainty , ’ he gleefully told me after he won under Irish amateur jockey Jamie Codd . It goes to show that Martin might be retired but his competitive instinct burns as strong as ever . Jamie Codd and The Package claimed victory in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup .
Vautour ’ s 15-length demolition job in the JLT Novices ’ Chase was breathtaking . Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh clearly feel he is the cream of their crop and are talking 2016 Gold Cup . Darna gave jockey David Bass a first Festival win and underlined the resurgence of trainer Kim Bailey . A second win at the meeting for trainer David Pipe , courtesy of The Package , had his father and my old boss , Martin , buzzing .