Mountain shines in Champion Novice Blackstairmountain led home a Willie Mullins one-two in the Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown. Paul Townend gave the 5/1 shot a confident ride and hit the front heading to the final flight. The gelding kept on strongly to record a cosy two-and-a-half length win over stable-mate Flat Out, who just held on for second from Sweeps Hill. 2/1 favourite General Miller could only finish fourth after coming off the bridle before the third last. "He had a very hard race in Fairyhouse and didn't particularly shine on the gallops during the week," revealed Mullins of the winner. "It just shows the difference the ground makes to him - he loves the better ground. "We'll try and win a few races on the Flat with him and he'll stick to hurdling next season. "We'll see how far he can go. Hopefully he can make into a decent hurdler. I've always thought a fair bit of him."
