Bronn, centre, tackles the last with Churchstonewarrior, left, and Falcon Eight, right© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins' Bronn showed good resolution to land the Grade 2 novice hurdle after a thrilling finish at the end of two and a half miles.
He was nearly brought down when tracking Arctic Warrior and Churchstone Warrior three out as Arctic Warrior got it all wrong in a fatal fall.
Danny Mullins soon got Bronn back on an even keel in behind Churchstonewarrior and an improving Falcon Eight
Bronn led narrowly after two out from Churchstonewarrior and Falcon Eight. There was little between the trio on the run-in as Jack Kennedy switched Falcon Eight out to challenge.
Churchstonewarrior battled hard on the inner but it was Bronn who saw it out best close home to prevail by half a length at 6/1. He was available at double that price in the morning. The runner-up prize went to Churchstonewarrior (9/2) who was a neck in front of the favourite Falcon Eight.
Willie Mullins said: “He surprised me on that ground, I thought he might want more juice in it.
“Danny said he was very happy with him on it and he'd like to go further with him on that ground, he said he would improve again.
“We'll see now whether he comes out of that well enough to go to Punchestown or whether we put him away and go chasing next season.
“He was bought with chasing in mind and that's the direction he's going.”
This brought up doubles for both Willie and Danny Mullins - the trainer was earlier successful with Dolcita in the Listed mares' chase while the jockey took the preceding race on his mother's Song Of Earth
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
