No Appreciate It, no problem: classy Echoes In Rain records first Grade 1 win

Willie Mullins may have left his leading two-mile novice hurdler Appreciate It at home, but that didn't stop him from registering a sixth win in the last seven runnings of the eCOMM Merchant Solutions Champion Novice Hurdle, with rapidly improving mare Echoes In Rain proving an able deputy under Patrick Mullins.

The first mare to win the race since Dance Beat in 1996, she wasn't as flashy as when bolting up in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse earlier in the month, but rewarded strong market support as 8-13 favourite for owners Barnane Stud.

The five-year-old enjoyed the gallop set by stablemate Blue Lord – Paul Townend's first ride back from injury – and was able to pick off the unlucky Supreme Novices' Hurdle faller, who faded to third in the five-runner affair.

Patrick Mullins, groom Donal Redmond and Willie Mullins pose for a winning photo with Echoes In RainCredit: Patrick McCann

Mullins, saddling his eighth win in total in the Grade 1, said: "She's now won at the top level and hopefully that's where she'll stay for the next couple of years. She's learning how to pace herself jumping now and we have to be happy with that."

Asked if Echoes In Rain could turn into a Unibet Champion Hurdle contender, Mullins said: "She's improving every day, with every run, and she looks like she's setting herself up to get a chance at it."

Watch Echoes In Rain win

The victory also boosted Patrick Mullins' amateur title hopes, preparing for a week-long battle with Jamie Codd.

"It's a great way to start the festival," said the winning rider. "I remember that Jamie won the first race of the festival in the year he beat me in the championship. I'm sure it'll be nip and tuck all week."

Echoes In Rain: another top-level hurdles winner for AuthorizedCredit: Patrick McCann

He added: "Rachel Boyd rides her at home and has done a marvellous job of teaching her how to settle. She made one mistake down the back, but that was my fault because I didn't want to her wing it and get racing. I was trying to get her to take a breather. She was fabulous everywhere else and a real strong two miles suits her best."

Lorna Fowler and Conor Orr were dipping their toes into Grade 1 company for the first time with improving maiden Colonel Mustard and didn't leave empty-handed, picking up a €20,000 cheque for second at 40-1.

"You always want to win but this is incredible," said Fowler. "He's proved to us he's special and he's still a novice for next year, so we're going to have a lot of fun in the top novice races then."

Read more from day one at Punchestown:

What a swansong! Colreevy stuns Monkfish and Envoi Allen on her final start

'That was the real Chacun Pour Soi' – Paul Townend glowing after stunning win

No stopping Willie Mullins with five of the first six winners to Closutton

Chacun Pour Soi fans go wild on social media but Cheltenham doubts persist (Members' Club)

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