Village Mystic and Patrick Mullins© Photo Healy Racing
< Faugheen was simply brilliant in landing the BHP Insurances Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Ruby Walsh was anxious to make the running on the 3-10 favourite, but had Nichols Canyon his conqueror at Punchestown earlier this season, for company until that rival made a mistake at the second last.< Arctic Fire threatened to get in touch with Faugheen on the turn for home, but Walsh gave the winner his head and he bounded clear, scoring by 15 lengths.
That capped a magnificent day for Mullins, who landed a four-timer on the card.
Mullins made it a double when Douvan romped to victory in the Grade One Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase.
Walsh barely had to move a muscle on the 1-14 favourite, who easily despatched his two rivals from the front, jumping impeccably to score by 15 lengths from Velvet Maker
Mullins' winning run started when he landed the Grade Two Nathaniel Lacy And Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle for the fifth year in a row, courtesy of A Toi Phil
The 6-4 favourite tracked Acapella Bourgeois in the early stages under Bryan Cooper, before striding on at the end of the back straight and never looking back, scoring by seven lengths.
Mullins' quartet of winners was completed by Village Mystic (4-7 favourite), who ran out a game winner of the Leopardstown Club Membership Flat Race under Patrick Mullins.< Don't Touch It ran out a facile winner of the Donohue Marquees Maiden Hurdle.
Jessica Harrington's 8-11 favourite had Beau Mome for company for much of the way, but saw off that rival before the last and coasted clear under Barry Geraghty, winning by 13 lengths.< The Mooch (16-1) got up late to deny Just Get Cracking in the Sandyford Handicap Chase for Paul Nolan and Jonathan Moore, while the 'Colours Bar' Handicap Chase went to the Karl Thornton-trained Bearly Legal (10-1) ender Donagh Meyler.
