Dermot Weld’s Vigil opens account over jumps at Naas

Vigil barely came off the bridle in opening his account over jumps in the Paddy Power ACCA Insurance Maiden Hurdle at Naas.

The Dermot Weld-trained seven-year-old has followed an unusual route having run in the last two renewals of the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, finishing a creditable fifth on both occasions.

He was not disgraced in finishing third in a race that has worked out well on his hurdling debut at Leopardstown over Christmas and was a prohibitively priced 2-9 favourite for his latest assignment.

Killahara Castle quickly built up a big lead before predictably faltering and after taking over the lead in the straight, Vigil cruised clear in the hands of Davy Russell to score by three and a quarter lengths from Coeur Joyeux.

“He did what we expected him to do,” said Weld. “Obviously he’s a possible for Cheltenham and he’s also a possible for Fairyhouse and Punchestown.

“We’ll see how he comes out of the race before we make a decision. He’s very effective on that ground, but I’d say he’ll be effective on good ground as well.

“He handles soft to heavy whereas Silver Concorde (Supreme Novices’ Hurdle contender) wants good ground. Silver Concorde is a different horse when he gets good ground.

“I think this horse jumped very well today, he got in and pinged the last. He’ll learn a lot from that.”

Weld indicated he is likely to saddle Leopardstown runner-up First Figaro in this year’s Cheltenham bumper.