Prolific Robin gets back to winning ways

Robin Des Foret made it eight wins from fourteen starts, as he took the Carmel Fay Memorial Novice Chase.

Successful on his debut over fences at Ballinrobe last month, the Willie Mullins trained eight-year-old was since beaten into second at Punchestown.

Back up in trip to two and a half miles today, the son of Robin Des Pres was sent off the clear market leader at 4/7.

Settled in second by Paul Townend, the Byerley Racing Syndicate owned victor travelled best to lead before the last, and he soon asserted, going on to score by four lengths.

The front-running Balzac Turgot (5s to 4s on-course) had to settle for second under Rachael Blackmore for Henry de Bromhead, with Camlann another eleven lengths back in third.

Townend said afterwards: "We went a good gallop. My lads jumping warmed up to it after a while as he wasn't as good as I thought he’d be early on. He got very good when I wanted him late on in the race."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee