Tony McCoy and JP McManus made it a quickfire double at Leopardstown when 9/4 favourite Quiscover Fontaine fended off Pires (4/1) and Wilde Wit Pleasure (11/2) to win the two mile rated hurdle.

Coming to the second last all nine runners were in with a chance in a very bunched field but McCoy forged on and Ruby Walsh on the runner-up was unable to reel him in after the last, despite Pires staying on well. He was half-a-length down at the winning post.

Trainer Willie Mullins, who also had his second winner today, praised his jockey’s ride as he said: “AP was very good on him, he made his mind up for him.

“He had a lovely handicap mark and I didn’t want to let it go. I thought this was the right race to start his season off in.”

Punters obviously agreed with the champion trainer as they backed the winner down at all rates from 3/1 to 9/4.

Quiscover Fontaine has an impressive strike-rate of seven wins from 15 starts now. He also finished fourth in the Irish Grand National this year.

Jockey Tony McCoy said: "I don't think being in front as early as he was suited him but he was always going to stay."

Michael Graham