Minella Encore was made to work hard to land the odds in the concluding bumper at Fairyhouse this afternoon.

The 4/9 hotpot came to tackle front-runner Narcissistic in the straight and only gained a narrow lead going to the furlong marker.

Patrick Mullins kept his mount up to his work in the closing stages to record a hard-fought half-length success.

The King's Theatre gelding was making his first start for Willie Mullins having landed a point-to-point for Colin Bowe last January.

"He was a little green and I think he's won with a bit up his sleeve,” said the winning rider.

“I expect he'll improve a lot for the initial experience, and I'd imagine he'll want a trip in time. He's a horse that we like a lot.

"He's won a point-to-point and he has loads of size so he'll jump a fence. This is our first runner for Mr (David) Bobbett, and he has three horses with us."

(Quotes by Alan Magee)