The Listowel Festival is the target for many at present, and Top Madam is another to add to that list after benefitting from a positive ride by Paul Townend to take the Martin Reilly BMW Dealer Novice Hurdle.

The 9/4 favourite took on the pace-setting Protaras on the final circuit, leading three out before holding off the strong challenge of chief market rival Dara Tango (5/2) on the run-in.

Townend’s mount dug deep in the closing stages, finding plenty under pressure to score by a length, with Protaras another two and a half lengths away in third.

Noel O’Neill, wearing two caps as both the successful breeder and trainer Donal Coffey’s representative, said “She was a bit flat at Killarney but was a different mare today. There is a nice novice hurdle for mares at Listowel for her, and she’s a tough and genuine mare. Fences will really be her game.”