Front running tactics again reaped rewards at Leopardstown when Jon Snow gained a deserved success in the Donohoe Marquees Maiden Hurdle.

The five-year-old had been placed three times since joining Willie Mullins and made the breakthrough in this afternoon's two-mile-two contest.

Paul Townend was soon in front on the 6/4 favourite and he responded well when asked for an effort turning for home.

There was a long run to the line, with the last omitted due to the sun, but the French-bred stuck on well to keep market rival Fakiera at bay by a length-and-a-quarter.

Mullins said:- “I was hoping he would have won a race before now. We’ll probably look at Fairyhouse for him.

“Paul thought he handled the ground well and I was surprised how well he handled it.”

Regarding work after racing he added:- “I’ll see what the ground is like here today and we might bring a few up to jump fences tomorrow.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)