The market strongly spoke in favour of Long Dog (1/2) and he prevailed, but only just under Ruby Walsh, over his fellow Willie Mullins contender, Bachasson in the Grade 1 Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Mullins probably summed it up best post race when he said: "I thought Ruby got the run of the race. He was in a great position the whole time and the horse jumped well. He did everything right — I think he might have just missed the third last.

"Bachasson was never at the races and he didn't appear to operate, whether it was down to the weather or the ground. He didn't jump, he didn't gallop and he just got into the race around the last bend.

"I thought he ran a tremendous race to get as close as he did and to get as far away from the opposition as well. If they met again I don't know which one would win.

"One or both of them can go to Leopardstown. The French people tell me that Bachasson can go out in trip, while Long Dog could go out in trip any time he wants."

Long Dog had taken over entering the straight and in the end he held off the more conservatively ridden Bachasson (Paul Townend) by a neck. They left Gunnery Sergeant all of fourteen lengths back in third.

In ante-post betting news for the Supreme Novices the bookmakers reacted as follows

Ladbrokes - 14/1 Long Dog, 14/1 (from 10s) Bachasson

BoyleSports - 12/1 Long Dog (introduced) 12/1 Bachasson (unchanged)

Neptune - Long Dog 12/1 (from 14/1) also with BoyleSports

(AM & EM)