'That was a tremendous staying performance' - Gaillard new Ballymore favourite

The first stage of the Tour de Willie Mullins was won by Gaillard Du Mesnil, with Paul Townend in the yellow jersey of Joe and Marie Donnelly, and so impressive was his sprint finish that Paddy Power promoted him to 100-30 favourite for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

It was exactly the start Ireland's champion trainer would have craved and taking the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle set the tone for the afternoon as Mullins and Townend rattled off a Grade 1 hat-trick.

Click here to watch Gaillard Du Mesnil power home at Leopardstown

It was only in the final stride that Gentlemansgame deprived Mullins of a 1-2 in the opening Grade 1 of the weekend as the pacesetting Stattler had to settle for third.

"That was a tremendous staying performance," said Mullins afterwards, agreeing the winner had the Ballymore written all over him.

He said: "I thought he was very keen with Paul and had to sit further back than I was hoping he might. That left him a lot to do but he made it up nicely, which shows he has a fair engine."

Townend sat quiet on the 13-8 favourite throughout, tracking Stattler into the straight before powering away after the last for an emphatic five-length win.

The reaction of bookmakers in making Gaillard Du Mesnil shorter than both Bravemansgame and Bob Olinger was understandable and Townend was glowing in his praise for the exciting youngster.

The winning rider said: "He went through the race very easy and I was able to take the gaps when I wanted. He had to be tough to go through with it. He pulled away nicely, it's what you'd like to see a horse do when they have the potential he does.

"We chanced him with the hood, it's not that he's a runaway or anything, I just didn't want to use up any energy early on in the race."

He added: "That was just the start we were hoping for so hopefully we can keep it going."

Gaillard Du Mesnil: ran on well for a five-length victoryCredit: Patrick McCann

Keep it going they did, with Chacun Pour Soi and Energumene winning the next two Grade 1s to give Townend and Mullins the perfect start to the weekend.

Mullins also revealed the Albert Bartlett would be where you will see Stattler next, especially since his owner Ronnie Bartlett sponsors the race.

The champion trainer said: "Stattler was very good and Danny [Mullins] gave him a well-judged ride from the front. That puts him in line for the Albert Bartlett so maybe Ronnie can win some of his own money back."

The sponsor's bonus for this top-level event means the stable staff in the Mullins yard will earn a €50,000 bonus should Gaillard Du Mesnil go on to win any race at the Cheltenham Festival and, on this evidence, they could be celebrating in style come March.

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