4 from 4 for Mullins/Townend

Willie Mullins and Paul Townend made it four wins from four races at Punchestown when Raptor completed the just over 172/1 accumulator in the Mianach Venture Capital Maiden Hurdle.

This French-recruit went a close second travelling best two out, he gained a narrow lead before the last and he stayed on well on the run-in to beat Westmeath

Mullins said: "I saw him in the parade ring in France and I thought he was a beautiful horse. At the same time my wife Jackie saw him on the television and rang to ask me what the beautiful grey horse was, so we ended up buying him.

"He deserves an Albert Bartlett entry after that. He was only getting going at the end there. He was bought as a chaser, he'll get an entry in the two and a half mile race (the Neptune) at Cheltenham as well but he is an out and out stayer.

"He gallops, jumps and he stays."

Raptor is 25/1 for the Albert Bartlett Hurdle with Stan James.

The other Mullins/Townend winners were Golden Silver Some Target and Gagewell Flyer