“He was foot-perfect everywhere — he was quick getting from A to B,” stated a clearly delighted Townend. “He behaved himself relatively well — maybe he’s grown up.

“I never had to interfere with his jumping. He has plenty of scope and he was clever when he needed to be.

“He achieved a lot over hurdles on the clock. He’s taken to it well and there’s still loads of fire in his belly.” 

Helped by a first-time hood, hurdling debutant Westport Cove, in the colours of Cathal Hughes, completed a double for the Mullins team in the concluding maiden hurdle, making most of the running for Patrick Mullins and keeping market rival Diamboy Des Carres (blundered at the last) at bay by a length and a quarter.

Willie Mullins stated: “He’s maturing and looked a lot more settled. His jumping was very slick — he jumped like a handicapper. He is sharp enough for two miles but will have no problem going out in trip. We just have to go up in grade with him and might find something for him around Christmas.” 

Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy continued on their winning ways when the Gigginstown-owned Will Do, winner of a Cork bumper and a maiden hurdle in Sligo, ground out a victory over local hope Getaway Charlie in the BetVictor Proud To Support Irish Racing Irish EBF Novice Hurdle.

The 4-11 favourite, never far off a muddling pace, had to dig deep in the closing stages. But his undoubted stamina proved crucial as he edged clear to triumph by two and three-quarter lengths.

“He’s not the slowest horse, but he’s lazy and only does what he has to do,” commented Kennedy. “That ground is as good as he wants and the further he goes the better he’ll be. But he did it well and, hopefully, he’ll keep progressing.” 

On a day when his son James rode his first winner in Britain (for Jonjo O’Neiil, in Wincanton), Matt Smith won the ThurlesRaces.ie Handicap Hurdle with Ragin Cajun, produced with a well-timed challenge to beat Ishan by Danny Gilligan, who said: “He’s quite quirky and was on and off the bridle going around. He wasn’t doing a whole pile when he hit the front, but there was plenty in the tank.” 

The long journey from Derry proved worthwhile for the Noel Kelly-trained Herculaneum, produced with a late surge by Oran McGill to deny the flattering local hope Ricky Bobby by a neck in the Holycross Handicap Hurdle.

Back to the scene of her bumper success, the Michael Grassick-trained Mollys Glory (Michael O’Sullivan) opened her hurdling account, at the 12th attempt In the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle, beating favourite Workforadime.

Having his third start over fences and backed into 9-4 favourite, McGrath From Clune delivered for Robert Tyner and Phillip Enright in the www.thurlesraces.ie Handicap Chase, forging five lengths clear of Lake Chase on the run-in and prompting his trainer to comment: “He jumps well and might win another little race somewhere — we’ll probably mix it with him, hurdles and fences.”