Alelchi Inois and Paul Townend turn on the style at Galway© Photo Healy Racing
< Alelchi Inois made it four wins on the spin with little fuss in the Deacy Gilligan Ballybrit Novice Chase at Galway.
An easy winner over this course and distance at the festival last time out, the Willie Mullins-trained gelding was sent off 2-5 favourite for the Grade Three prize and didn't disappoint his supporters.
Paul Townend was always travelling well on the winner just in behind pacesetter Enjoy Responsibly and hit the front with a nice jump at the last fence.
The six-year-old stretched clear for a comfortable four and a half-length verdict over Definite Ruby who kept on well for second.
That gave Mullins and Townend a double as the pair had earlier landed the Easyfix Rubber Products Novice Hurdle with Most Peculiar (9-10fav).
The winner was chased home by Draco when scoring at the festival here and it was Aidan O'Brien's charge that gave him most to worry about again.
Townend always looked in control and pushed his mount out for a convincing four-length margin over the JP McManus-owned runner-up.
O'Brien and McManus had to play second fiddle again in the Anglo Printers Maiden Hurdle as Waver found West Montan too good.
Having unseated his rider at the third last when in front at Down Royal, David Kelly's charge made no mistake this time as he dominated from the off and showed a good attitude when challenged by the evens favourite entering the home straight.
The 5-4 chance saw off O'Brien's hurdling newcomer and pulled three lengths clear at the line.< Valours Minion sprang a 16-1 surprise in the O'Leary Insurances Handicap Hurdle as the veteran stayed on well up the home straight to score by three lengths from Roadtotheisland < Millie Le Bach justified 15-8 favouritism in a thrilling finish to the J.J. Rhatigan & Company Maiden Hurdle, edging out Ram Them All by a short head, while Baby Whizz (5-1fav) denied Georgie by three-quarters of a length in the Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase.
