Quai De Bourbon, near side, faces a challenge from Westport Cove over the last© Photo Healy Racing
French-import Quai De Bourbon fended off his stablemate Westport Cove to give Willie Mullins a one-two in the featured Munster Hurdle over an extended two miles at Clonmel.
Paul Townend 's mount Quai De Bourbon was all the rage in the market for this four-runner contest as he went off the 2/5 favourite on the back of a Naas maiden hurdle victory last month.
The favourite stalked Doyen Ta Win and came down the stands' side to readily pass that rival with a quarter of a mile to travel.
Westport Cove was produced in second at the penultimate flight and came through with his challenge at the last. The pair jumped it virtually in unison, but a couple of cracks from Townend saw Quai De Bourbon stay on the better in the closing stages to score by half a length from the 5/1 runner-up.
Townend said: "He is hard to keep concentrated, so a small field like today wasn't ideal. He does what you make him do and, while he is a good jumper, I think hurdles are too small for him. He would have more respect for a bigger jump.
"Today's distance was a worry, but the testing ground made up for that and it turned into a staying race. He surprised me at Naas and surprised me again by dropping to this distance and winning today, but will be a stayer."
The Raceday Stewards interviewed P. Townend, rider of Quai De Bourbon (FR), concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who accepted that in slow motion it appeared he may have been in breach of R.10. Having viewed a recording of the race and having considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards found P. Townend, in breach of R.10.3(h)(arm above shoulder height) and having considered his record, they suspended him for two racedays.
Quai De Bourbon is a street along the River Seine in Paris.
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
