Mullins and Townend double up with a High Class Hero

High Class Hero has got a useful habit in that he just keeps winning, and he repeated the feat in bringing up his five-timer in the extended two mile six furlong novice hurdle in Thurles.

The 2/7 favourite was one of just four runners in this race and powered to the front after the penultimate flight. He didn't put in his most fluent jump at the final hurdle, but wasn't overly troubled in scoring by a length and three-parts from Easy Fella (7/2).

This brought up a double for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend who earlier took the honours with Allaho in the Grade 2 chase on the card.

Jockey Townend said: "He settled relatively well, it turned into a dash off the final bend and he made up a lot of ground when we quickened. The conditions are testing, we didn't go quick early and it was like what he did at Limerick.

"He hadn't gone anywhere (from Mullins' yard) since his last run, but just hadn't run in a while so, on the whole, I'm very happy and he is progressing. 

"I think he has enough runs, which is a help going for the Albert Bartlett (Hurdle) and he has the right attitude as well."

High Class Hero started his winning spree in a Listowel bumper in June before taking a maiden hurdle at Galway in August. He has since been successful in novice hurdle at Listowel and Limerick in September and October respectively.

Paddy Power made High Class Hero 7/1 from 9/1 for the Albert Bartlett and 20/1 from 33/1 for the Ballymore.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes