Paul Townend maintained his lead of nine over Andrew McNamara, successful earlier in the Grade 2 on Hidden Cyclone in the NH jockey's title race when moving onto the 67 winner mark for the season aboard Celtic Folklore in the Killinan Maiden Hurdle.

The 8/13 favourite (from 9/10) made nearly all the running under Townend, and he was just pushed out on the run-in to beat Zagman by four lengths. Celtic Wish was another half length away in third.

The six-year-old Luso gelding is owned by the Tiger Tail Syndicate, a group of six friends from Galway.

Winning trainer Willie Mullins said: “He gallops all day and jumps well. We'll probably go for a winners-of-one now before looking at the spring Festivals. He surprised me when he won his bumper, and is alot better than I've been giving him credit for. I hope he keeps improving.”