Willie Mullins records Fairyhouse treble

Uncle Phil posted a smart performance to claim the SBK Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse.

Willie Mullins' charge was having his first start in handicap company, having finished third in the Grade Two Craddockstown Novice Chase when last seen in November.

Paul Townend was positive from the off and the 11-2 shot was clearly full of running coming to the last fence in the extended two-mile-one-furlong heat.

Uncle Phil duly stretched away on the run to the line, beating Lucid Dreams by three and three-quarter lengths, with favourite Letsbeclearaboutit a further two lengths back in third.

Townend said: "That was very nice. His run in Punchestown was decent, he probably got his own way that day.

"Today he was jumping so well that he probably puts them under pressure behind and the drying ground helped.

"You don’t know what to expect with him to be honest, but I thought his jumping and the run the last day would bring him a long way. Every dry day was helping."

Hunters Yarn completed a treble for Mullins and Townend in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.

Sent off the 8-15 favourite despite falling on his chasing bow, Hunters Yarn made a notable jumping error at the second last but his class told in the end, as he triumphed by 10 lengths.

"Not without a scare but he’s learned how to save himself and he settled it quickly again after that, which was nice," said Townend.

"He jumped very well up to that and it was just the one mistake again, but he went down and jumped the last well after it. You have to be taken with him.

"He hit it some belt and for a second I was thinking 'not again’. I thought the fall the last day would help him find his feet and figure it out. I’m disappointed he did it again but at least