The Grade 3 Willis Towers Watson Irish EBF Mares Hurdle went the way of Let's Dance for the second year running.

The Willie Mullins trained five-year-old fell on her seasonal reappearance at Punchestown last month, an incident which resulted in Ruby Walsh breaking his leg.

Sent off the even money favourite this afternoon, the daughter of Poliglote was settled towards rear by Paul Townend.

She took closer order on the outer from three out, and hit the front as they bypassed the last, keeping on well under pressure from there to see off Forge Meadow by eight lengths.

The runner-up was returned at 6/1 under Robbie Power for Jessica Harrington, while Dawn Shadow (20s to 16s) was a further seven lengths back in third for Dot Love and Rachael Blackmore.

"Yesterday was very disappointing but you have days like that. As least Yorkhill and Djakadam came back. Nichols Canyon was very hard to take. It's hard to replace a horse like him but we'll move on,," said Patrick Mullins.

"It's very hard to find horses like him. He was so tough, always gave his all and was so exciting to watch. He wasn't the biggest horse in the world but had a huge heart. He'll be missed in Closutton.

"We're well used to disappointment as well. It happened the first two days in Cheltenham but as long as the horses come back there will always be another day. We'll sit down and make new plans for the horses that got beaten.

"After yesterday confidence wasn't quite as high as it could be. She was top rated, she won it last year and she was working well at home.

"She fell on his seasonal debut and we didn't learn much there but we were hoping if she could do what she does at home she'd win and thank God she has.

"It lifts everyone a bit and gets the confidence up. This is the first day that Rich has been here so it's great to get a winner for him.

"It's important for Paul. Obviously he had great wins on Total Recall and Faugheen The last few days haven't been as good but he won the Grade One on Footpad."

STEWARDS REPORTS

S.W. Flanagan, rider of Mary Frances trained by Martin Hassett, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount felt lame behind and was pulled up thereafter.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson