Patrick Mullins extended his advantage to three at the head of the jump jockey’s table when Primroseandblue just held on by the minimum margin in a tremendous finish to the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Hurdle at Killarney.

Owned by his mother Jackie and trained by his father Willie, the 5/4 favourite made most of the running but was taken on up front entering the straight by Lean Times (4/1).

The pair fought out a great duel with the Mullins gelding gaining a slight advantage on the run-in, and then just holding on by a nose as his rival rallied gamely in the closing stages.

Patrick Mullins said, “It was not ideal to make the running but they were going slow and he got a soft lead. The jumping won it for him really.

“He was hanging right the whole way but jumping straight, and he’d be better going the other way. I think he could make a superb chaser.”

This was his 28th winner of the season, leaving the amateur three ahead of both Davy Russell and the sidelined Ruby Walsh.