Gaillard Du Mesnil got favourite-backers off to a flying start at this year’s Dublin Racing Festival with a clear-cut victory in the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors €50k Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff’ Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.

An impressive winner at the track over the Christmas period, the Willie Mullins-trained grey was the 13/8 market leader to successfully step up in distance and class for this two-mile-six-furlong Grade 1 contest.

Having travelled strongly in midfield for much of the race under Paul Townend, Gaillard Du Mesnil moved into the slipstream of his front-running stablemate Stattler early in the home straight, before taking over on the approach to the final flight.

The five-year-old never looked in danger of being caught from that point – galloping all the way to the line to score by five lengths, with Gentlemansgame pipping Stattler to the runner-up spot.

Mullins went on to saddle three more winners on the Saturday card at Leopardstown and all four of his winners started favourite. Energumene won the Irish Arkle, Chacun Pour Soi took the Dublin Chase, and Kilcruit was very impressive in the closing bumper.