WILLIE Mullins and Paul Townend teamed up to land both blacktype races at Thurles where Bon Viveur, in the colours of Jackie Mullins, defied notable market weakness to take the Boyle Sports Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle.

Sent off at 14/1 for the Grade 3 contest, the Flemensfirth gelding was held up in rear by Townend in what was a steadily-run affair. All four runners were in with a shout on the run to the last before Open Secret and Bon Viveur went on, and it was the latter who led inside the final 100 yards to score by three-parts of a length.