Bon completes quick double for Mullins & Townend

Bon Retour completed a quick double for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins as she claimed the Play The Tote Trifecta Handicap Hurdle.

Without a win in six starts in her native France, the daughter of Fame And Glory was last seen finishing third at Auteuil in October.

Making her debut for Willie Mullins and owner Jim Ennis this evening, the five-year-old bay was sent off at 7/2 having been available at 9/2 in early shows.

Prominent in the early stages, she was eventually settled in second by Paul Townend, with Summer Hill attempting to make all.

Kept to the outer in search of better ground, Bon Retour was pushed along to challenge on the approach to the last.

Soon ridden to the front, she found plenty for pressure, going on to hold off the late surge of Pilbara by a length and three parts.

The runner-up, who was returned the 5/4 favourite for David and Emmet Mullins, made good headway from two out, but ultimately couldn't reel-in the winner.

The aforementioned Summer Hill (20/1) plugged on gamely to take third another two and a half lengths back.

David Casey, assistant trainer to Willie Mullins, said: "She seemed to be following Danny's (Mullins, on Summer Hill) horse by jumping to her left but she has never shown done that at home and I schooled her myself this morning and she was fine.

"We were happy enough with her French mark of 121 and it was great to win from it and hopefully she will improve and go forward again.

"She is with us a few months and she will jump a fence as well. I wouldn't imagine easier ground would be an issue for her and she wouldn't have run on quick ground."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Dawn Raider trained by Brian Francis Cawley was found to have blood on both nostrils post race.

P.J. Cawley, rider of Dawn Raider trained by Brian Francis Cawley, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount burst.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes