Willie Mullins' Saylavee (9/2 — 5/2) returned to winning ways to land Punchestown's Free Entry On NYE (Mares) Novice Hurdle today, notching a fourth career success, under Paul Townend.

The daughter of Shantou had previously finished fifth at Grade 3 level at Down Royal in November and today arrived with her challenge on the outside, eventually scoring by two and a half lengths from Bella Scintilla with 8/15 favourite Harmonya Maker a head behind in third.

Champion Trainer Mullins later said “she disappointed in the north but has shown nice improvement and it’s nice to get some black type for her.

“Paul was very good on her and he ploughed his own furrow. He said she was a little dead going down to the start and in the early part of the race and he felt that she didn’t like being with horses.

“He pulled her wide and she came alive. Some horses don’t like muck coming back in their face and she may be one like that. He kept her wide and it seemed to work.

“We’ll give her another spin or two and she’s improving all the time.

“We got her from Aidan Fitzgerald - he said she was a good strong filly and he was right.”

Saylavee was later cut by Paddy Power to 14/1, from 33/1, for Cheltenham's Mares Novice Hurdle next March.

Quotes from Alan Magee