Tounsivator brings up opening race double for Mullins and Townend

Having landed the opening race on the card, Willie Mullins and Paul Townend quickly doubled up when Tounsivator ran out an easy winner of the Follow Kilbeggan On Instagram Novice Hurdle.

Runner-up in a valuable handicap hurdle at Galway earlier this month, the five-year-old appreciated stepping up in trip here as he easily accounted for stablemate Ninth Titan

Held up towards rear on the opening circuit, as Ninth Titan led the quintet, Townend moved closer on the final circuit.

Hampered on the bend after going for a gap on the inner approaching three out, Tounsivator headed his stable companion two out before galloping clear.

At the line, the 10/11f had 14 lengths in hand, to provide trainer Willie Mullins with a 1-2.

Aubrey McMahon, who heads up Temple Bloodstock, said: “He ran a cracker in Galway and was in front everywhere bar the line. That was a big run for his first handicap and it’s nice to win here today.

“I’d say the second horse is no slouch and it was a good performance. He jumped well, is only five and is improving away so we’re delighted to have him.

“He has a nice handicap mark on the Flat that looks workable, and he has entries in the Irish and English Cesarewitch. He’s unlikely to get into the Irish but he might get into Newmarket in October.

“It would be a nice one to have a crack at but we’ll enjoy today first.

“They are a great bunch of lads involved in him and it’s nice for us to have a horse like him.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee.