Mullins and Townend fire in treble through Paggane

Paggane sealed a treble for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend as she came home well in the Old House Kill Maiden Hurdle over an extended two miles three furlongs.

It looked far from likely after two out as she came under a drive in fourth, but she rounded the bend on the inner and picked up the chase to challenge at the last.

Cit The Rope, who was clinging on to a narrow lead at the final obstacle, made a hash of it and Paggane grabbed her opportunity.

Townend drove her in by four lengths at 13/8. Cut The Rope had to settle for second at 10/1 after that late blunder and was two-and-a-half-lengths clear of The Busy Fool (5/4f).

Mullins said: “I think the longer trip brought about improvement in her. Hopefully she will continue to improve into the spring and her jumping is improving too.

“Maybe we could look at a novice handicap for her.”

This was Paggane's breakthrough success at the fifth time of asking.

Mullins and Townend were also on the scoresheet with Mister Policeman (1.2f) and Tullyhill (6/5f)

Additional reporting by Alan Magee