Paul Townend and Willie Mullins combine to win the Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle at Naas

The winning combination - Paul Townend and Willie Mullins pictured here after Galopin Des Champs’ win in Fairyhouse last year. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

placeholder image — The winning combination - Paul Townend and Willie Mullins pictured here after Galopin Des Champs’ win in Fairyhouse last year. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Hunters Yarn has won the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle at Naas. The horse ridden by Paul Townend and trained by Willie Mullins was a heavy favourite heading into this one and showed the watching fans why as it made light work of the two mile course.

It was far from a thriller as Hunters Yarn always appeared a level above the rest of the field and cruised home to a comfortable victory. Paul Townend got out in front early and the pair hit an unbreakable rhythm.

It is trainer Willie Mullins’ third win of the day so far with the powerhouse trainer roaring back into the winners enclosure following disappointment in the day’s opening race. The second of which was the showpiece event of the day in the form of the Lawlor's Of Naas Grade 1 Novice Hurdle.