Champion Trainer Willie Mullins gained his fifth win of the Dublin Festival weekend when getting off the mark for Day Two in the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Spring Juvenile Hurdle, with the Paul Townend partnered Mr Adjudicator

Four to five favourite Espoir D'allen gave himself no chance racing too keenly and predictably folded tamely in the home straight whereas Townend produced Mr Adjudicator, a son of Camacho, to challenge leader Farclas rounding the home turn.

Both Mr Adjudicator and Farclas jumped the last upsides but Townend's mount found more on the run-in to score a length and a quarter win.

Afterwards Mullins, fresh from a four-timer yesterday, said “it was a fantastic ride by Paul. We didn't think there'd be much pace in the race and he dropped him in lovely at the back of the field and there was actually a lot more pace than we anticipated.

“Paul was a little bit worried was he travelling but didn't want to give him a squeeze and light him up too early. He held, what he thought, was a bit in hand turning in and met the last spot on and they (him and runner-up) are two good battlers and two good horses.

“He'll run in the Triumph Hurdle next and then possibly on to the French version later on.”

Gordon Elliott, trainer of the runner-up Farclas, stated "it was a grand run and he's a horse for next year" while Barry Geraghty, ride of Espoir D'allen, said “it's disappointing but there is no obvious reason. He was a bit free but I wouldn't blame that."

Boylesports later cut Mr Adjudicator to 7/1, from 20s, for the Triumph Hurdle.

What a monster - Samcro wins the Grade 1 Deloitte Novice Hurdle! @LeopardstownRC #DublinRacingFestival pic.twitter.com/zSyqlFSFyl

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 4, 2018

Quotes from Alan Magee