Grand Partner shed his maiden tag over hurdles at the six attempt at Cork today, justifying 4/7 favouritism to win the Great Value Social Package Maiden Hurdle for trainer Tom Mullins and jockey Paul Townend.

The son of Millenary was made work for his win but in the end stayed on well in the closing stages for a length and a half defeat over Bashful Beauty

Afterwards Mullins said “he got free on Paul (Townend) at Punchestown the last day and ended up making the running which wasn't the plan.

“He'll go to Galway now for a handicap now and I don't think he'll get anything (penalty) for winning that.”

“His future is over fences and he'd want further than that (two miles) but we had to take our chance and it was his class that won it for him.”