Tony Martin's Buy Back Bob 'came alive' in the betting for the www.irishracehorseowners.com (G&G) Maiden Hurdle, finding an S.P. of 2/1 from 7s earlier in the day. However the Willie Mullins juggernaut isn't an easy one to stop and Passage Vendome foiled the gamble and brought up a treble for the champion trainer under Emmet Mullins at Punchestown.

Passage Vendome and Buy Back Bob, the joint favourites, had it between them from before the last but the former was much more doughty on the run-in and he triumphed by a length and a half.

Following on from Raptor and Letherbelucky Patrick Mullins was again at the number one berth and he explained: "His jumping has improved and he got a great ride there from Emmet.

"He's a very under-rated and under-used rider. He didn't hang around and those tactics paid off.

"He'll probably stick to that trip and he's a summer horse so we'll make hay when conditions are right.

"He disappointed a few times but he's strengthened up now." (AM & EM)