The Willie Mullins trained Lucky Bridle under Paul Townend, readily justified long odds-on favouritism (2/7f) to win the Christmas Racing Festival 26th - 29th December Hurdle at Limerick today.

The son of Dylan Thomas made all and was clear racing keenly throughout. He made a few mistakes along the back straight but in the end proved 12 lengths too strong for Shamar with Wrong Turn filling last place in third.

The other runner Theatre Mill was held in third when falling at the second last before eventually later remounting to collect fourth prize.

Afterwards Townend stated “he enjoyed that and being in front today, he wasn't a complete tearaway and stayed going well.

“He was unexposed over hurdles and pulled too hard the last day he ran at Punchestown.”

By Thomas Weekes