The much-vaunted Blood Cotil (4/9 favourite) duly landed the Q8 OILS Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown under Paul Townend.

His task was made more straightforward by the absence of main market rival Our Conor and he travelled powerfully through the race.

It wasn't until after the final flight of hurdles that Willie Mullins' charge was asked to put the race to bed but he lengthened well to go clear of the front-running Stocktons Wing (11/2).

Sky Bet cut the winner to 16s (from 20s) for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Mullins said: "He's a nice sort. We know he stays so the ground wasn't going to be a problem. We were just worried if he'd settle, but he settled beautifully today.

"He pulled very hard in Fairyhouse but sometimes horses do that on their first run and he would have learnt a awful lot from that.

"Paul was happy that he settled with him at all stages and he wasn't afraid to go on with him going to the last because his Flat form suggested that he'd stay so he just met the last right and kicked on. We're looking forward to him."

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