Mullins and Townend at double with Robin

Paul Townend rode a double in Roscommon when Robin Des Foret showed the opposition a clean pair of heels in the extended two and a half mile rated novice hurdle.

He did it from the front but looked to have plenty on his plate sweeping for home.

However, the seven-year-old gelding travelled sweetly straightening up and took a couple of lengths out of the field after the third last.

He kicked clear, and had the others well off the bridle, after the second last and the race was over by the final hurdle.

He strode home by seven lengths at 9/2. Clara Sorrento a 7/2 joint favourite, won the race for second, three parts of a length up on Cook Islands at 11/2.

Paul Townend said: “I think two-and-a-half is his trip and I think three stretched him in Kilbeggan.

“It's probably a bit better than it was here the last day. He has one way of running at the moment and you don't interfere with him.

“He jumped better than he did the last day and maybe the better ground helped with that. He did it nicely.”

This win also gave trainer Willie Mullins a double on the card as he supplied Townend's first winner Law Girl

Additional reporting by Gary Carson