Champion jockey-elect Paul Townend wasted little time in getting back among the winners as he enjoyed an armchair ride on Rattan in the Western People Maiden Hurdle.

Townend - chasing his first title - had been out since fracturing his collarbone at Navan on March 26 but still began the night with a four-winner lead over Davy Russell - and ended it with an advantage of five.

Sent off at 8-15, the ex-Henry Cecil-trained Rattan took command on the entrance to the home straight and pinged the last to score hard-held from Glenstar

Mullins' travelling head lad Gary Davis said: "Rattan is enjoying his racing and will be kept going through the summer. He seemed to bounce off the ground."

Townend ensured a five-winner gap at the close of play when guiding the Mullins-trained Killultagh Queen (9-10 favourite) to a facile victory in the Roundfort Stores Beginners Chase.

Russell had briefly restored the status quo as he got 11-4 favourite Face Facts up in the shadow of the post to land the Be Morley Memorial Handicap for Prunella Dobbs.

Mick Darcy appeared to have maters in hand on Like Da when jumping to the lead two out but Russell's mount cut him down once in the clear to score by a neck.

Dobbs said: "Face Facts has been knocking on the door quite a bit recently and deserved that.

"He is by Luso, and those horses take an extra bit of time to come to themselves. He'll stay handicapping now."

Dobbs added that stable star Our Girl Salley would be blood-tested before a decision is made on whether she will run at Punchestown next week.

Russell was narrowly denied another winner in the following P & D Lydon Plant Hire Handicap Chase as Mahrajaan (11-4 favourite) was run out of it after the last by Tom Doyle on Oliver McKiernan's Any Bets (8-1).

Ruby Walsh produced False Economy (5-2) to absolute perfection as the pair landed the Treacy's Pharmacy Hurdle.

Paul Carberry looked to have made a winning move rounding the home turn as Final Victory briefly took over from long-time leader Bleakfield Lady but Walsh swept