Champion Trainer Willie Mullins, and his stable jockey Ruby Walsh, combined for a double at Fairyhouse today when fragile Twigline overcame an absence of 934 days to win the Fairyhouse Membership 2013 Maiden Hurdle.

The French bred daughter of Martaline moved stylishly to the front at the final flight before staying on well on the run-in for an easy three and three parts of a length win over King Of The Refs

Mullins, who earlier sent out Blood Cotil also under Walsh, to win the opener, later stated “Twigline looks like a nice recruit and is a nice mare. She has had niggles (injuries) though and was bought as a three year old and got a stress fracture but we then had her ready and she then had another one.

“They are obviously lucky owners (also owners of Quevega and Thousand Stars) though and we just gave her time and she has come right.

“We'll look down the mares' novice hurdles route now – she has plenty of gears and also stays. I'm hoping there'll be a nice bit of improvement.”

Further reporting by Alan Magee