Arvika Ligeonniere turned on the style in the Star Best For Racing Coverage Novice Hurdle to give Willie Mullins a treble and Paul Townend a double.

The French-bred took it up turning for home and soon sprinted clear to settle matters.

He strode out well to the line to record a nine-length winning margin over Cooper's Crest

"That was unexpected. I didn't dream that he would be able to perform llike that over this trip," said Mullins.

"The better ground has turned him inside out. He's a different horse. That's what he has been showing me at home.

"I was so disappointed the first day when he ran away with Patrick. I couldn't believe he would be beat that day. Then he ran too free with Ruby.

"The fast pace on better ground makes him an easier ride. He'll go novice chasing next season and on that performance might make a two-miler."

Mullins and Townend has teamed up to take the feature event with Hurricane Fly while the champion trainer had also struck earlier on the card with the Davy Condon-ridden Palace Merano