Another race, another winner for Willie Mullins as he made it five for the day (three at Punchestown and two at Cork) as Tennis Cap belied an absence of 241 days to win the two and a half mile maiden hurdle at Cork.

The winner brought up a Cork double for Paul Townend. He was returned at 2/1 and overturned the 1/2 favourite Thunder And Roses representing Dessie Hughes, who carried a big reputation from his facile bumper victory at the end of October in Naas.

Thunder And Roses and Mark Enright couldn’t reel in the winner as they pursued him over the last two obstacles. At the finishing line there was two and a quarter lengths in it.

Seven went to post and Goulane Vixen grabbed third-placed money at 40/1 for Seamus Spillane and Martin Ferris.

Winning jockey Paul Townend said: “He settled well today, but he jumped a bit big early on.

“He jumped properly when the race hotted up and it was a good run to beat Dessie’s horse.”

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes