Francin belied a lack of market confidence when produced with a well-timed challenge by Paul Townend to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Hurdle at Navan.

Trained by Willie Mullins for Rich and Susannah Ricci, the French-bred gelding was friendless drifting out from early morning quotes of 6/4 to go off a 4/1 chance.

The lightly-raced seven-year-old was stepping up considerably in trip having landed the odds in a two-mile maiden here last month and benefitted from a patient ride by Townend.

He made good headway approaching the final flight and powered past Sixshooter on the run-in to score by two lengths.

Opposites Attract kept on one paced a further length and a half back to just overhaul Pencilfulloflead for third spot.

Townend said, “He did it nicely. He was going to win well here the last day but made a mistake at the last so I was anxious to follow one down to the last.

“I was happy enough down the straight that I was going to get them. Stepping up to that trip didn't inconvenience him, I think he needs it.

“The ground is rotten but he galloped away through it as well as anything would I'd say.

“He took a while to win, we have him a long time, but he's won two now and he'll definitely keep progressing. He's a nice horse and I'd say chasing will be his game down the line.”

(GC & AM)