Tin Soldier maintained his unbeaten Irish record with a gritty triumph in the Grade 3 At The Races Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle at Thurles.

Successful on his first start for Willie Mullins over an extended three miles at Fairyhouse last month, when accounting for the reopposing Champagne Classic, the French import was dropped in distance by half a mile and Ruby Walsh was keen to make use of his stamina, sending him into an early lead.

He relinquished his position at the head of affairs with over a circuit to travel and Walsh was soon at work as Champagne Classic, Moulin A Vent and Justmemyselfandi pressed on.

Tin Soldier was still just about in contention as Champagne Classic and Moulin A Vent settled down to fight it out but was travelling best at the last, where a slick leap and a strong finish helped seal a one-length defeat of Moulin A Vent.

Mullins said: "He is making good progress and while he made heavy weather of it, once Ruby made up his mind for him he made nice progress.

"I don't think any horse is happy on that ground today - it's tough to race on. He's a horse who never shows me much at home but he obviously has a lot more in the locker than he lets on to have. But I like horses who improve unexpectedly and he's one of those.

"He wants a trip and two and a half is as short as he wants - he seems to go on that ground but maybe he wants it better."

Tin Soldier holds multiple engagements at the Cheltenham Festival, but is unlikely to make the trip to Prestbury Park.

"I'll probably keep him at home and look for a staying novice," Mullins added.

Carrigeen Acebo ran out an unlikely winner of a dramatic Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Chase at Thurles.

Favourite-backers knew their fate with just over a circuit to travel when the Willie Mullins-trained Daisy's Gift hit the deck, bringing down Presenting Mahler.

Twiss's Hill led her rivals a merry dance and only had to clear the last once closest pursuer Girly Girl crashed out two out, only to get it all wrong and she came down too.

Misty Lady was left in a clear lead but she began to tread water in the closing stages and was collared by 50/1 shot Carrigeen Acebo, who benefited from Liz Lalor's never-say-die attitude to get up by a length and three-quarters.

Trainer Dick Lalor said: "She stays well and is just a funny mare.

"She jumped and kept going and really she is a staying handicap chaser in long-distance races on that ground. She isn't blessed with speed but stays forever and that ground slows down the others.

"You'd never run a horse if you didn't hope but I was worried about Willie's mare, who ran so well here the last day."

Sutton Manor was a good second in a Pertemps qualifier at Punchestown earlier in the month and went one better in the Littleton Handicap Hurdle.

With Lisa O'Neill taking off a valuable 5lb, the 9-2 shot was always prominent and disposed of Hollow Tree by four lengths.

Trainer Gordon Elliott said: "He was entitled to win on his recent form and Lisa gave him a great ride - she's a small thing but is a great bit of stuff. She does everything in the yard and is a great worker.

"He could run in the Pertemps if he gets in off a low weight, otherwise he'll go for something at home. He'll go chasing in the autumn."

Martello Park set the standard heading into the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Flat Race and Patrick Mullins kept it simple on the 15-8 favourite, keeping her at the front before kicking clear for a 21-length success.