Space Tourist clears the last under Paul Townend© Photo Healy Racing
Space Tourist justified market confidence, as she completed a double for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cailin Alainn Mares Hurdle.
Beaten by Popova when 30/100 at Listowel last month, the Jet Away victor was expected to reverse the form this afternoon.
Available at 9/2 in early shows, the bay six-year-old eventually went off the clear 6/4 favourite in the colours of the Yorkshire Rose Syndicate.
Taking closer order from four out, the market leader travelled best and got to the front on the approach to the penultimate obstacle.
While Riviere D'etel (3/1) attempted to come with a renewed effort on the run-in, the winner pulled out more when ridden and came home four-and-a-quarter lengths to the good.
There was a further 11-lengths back to Popova (4/1) and Rachael Blackmore in third.
"She was just beaten on the line at Listowel which wasn't a bad run. She was very tough and genuine today and ground it out," Townend commented.
"It opens doors having won on heavy ground today and there were no hiding places as we went a good gallop.
"I left her race on the stand's side coming up the straight but on the whole today, she was very straight (jumping-wise) and I think she is getting much straighter."
Mullins and Townend were earlier successful with A Penny A Hundred in the opener.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
