Gaucher regained the winning thread for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins when justifying favouritism in the BoyleSports Novice Hurdle at Tipperary.

The Grade 3 event was reduced to just four runners in the absence of Feud (temperature) and Chart Topper (coughing), with Gaucher sent off the 11/10 market leader. Littlebiggie set a strong pace under Liam Quinlan but was reeled at the penultimate flight with Gaucher just landing in front from Sunchart after the last.

The Frankel gelding just proved the stronger on the run-in to get the better of Sunchart by half a length, with Ah Fuhgeddaboutit six lengths back in third.

Mullins’ assistant David Casey said, “It suited him with the other horse going a good gallop and he seemed to settle well.

“He kept galloping well and was hardy considering he had a tough race in Listowel.

“The flat track probably suited him and if we could find another one like that it would be great.”