Paul Townend made his only ride at Kilbeggan this afternoon a winning one as Paggane finished strongly to land the Kilbegganraces.com Novice Hurdle. Littlebiggie set a good pace in this 3m1f event and had a number of her five rivals struggling half-a-mile out.

Paggane, trained by Willie Mullins for Joe and Marie Donnelly, made headway on the outer at the home bend and jumped to the front at the final flight.

The 100/30 chance kept on well on the run-in to beat the front-runner by four and a half lengths, with Clodders Dream a further six and a half lengths away in third.

Townend said, “The step up in trip and nicer ground is what she wanted.

“Her jumping was slow at the start of the year. She’s getting a bit better but still missed a couple and the one down the back I thought was after putting me out of the race.

“They went at it hard early enough and she stayed well. Once the ground is safe, I’d imagine she will run through the summer.”