Bachasson made it three from three this season with a fine front running performance in the Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas this afternoon.

The likeable grey grabbed his 14th career success when recording a cosy four-and-three-quarter length win in the Grade 3 contest.

Paul Townend, recording a quick double on the card, bounced out in front in the two-miler and he had his rivals at work going down to the second last.

Bachasson asserted before the final flight and just had to be pushed out on the run-in as Grand Roi chased him home in second.

The winner was sent to post an 11/8 shot with Beacon Edge who finished third, the 5/4 favourite.

Mullins said:- “He’s enjoying himself. I thought it was a big ask bringing him back to two miles but my backroom team overruled me and said he must go here. It’s one up for them!

“We’ll be looking at the Red Mills day at Gowran and he’ll probably get an entry in both the hurdle and the chase.

“If we can keep him in that sort of form who knows what will happen.

“I thought after the Gold Cup in Cheltenham (fell 2018) that he wouldn’t run again. We had to reroute the races we were aiming for, and Grade 2 and 3 races suit him better.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)