Un De Sceaux rediscovered the winning trail in a dramatic Devenish Chase at Fairyhouse on Monday.

The 10-year-old was winning his 21st race and was one of three graded race winners on the day for trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend.

A disappointing second when defending his crown in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham last month, Un De Sceaux was a 5/6 favourite for this Grade 2 assignment. He soon adopted his customary pacesetting role and had many of his rivals in trouble a long way from home.

Doctor Phoenix loomed up as a big danger at the top of the home straight and looked set to land in front until ploughing through the second-last fence and suffering a heavy fall.

His exit left Un De Sceaux in splendid isolation and he safely negotiated the final obstacle to seal a wide-margin victory. A Toi Phil was best of the rest in second.

MULLINS TREBLE

The triumph completed a treble for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend, who also struck courtesy of Getabird and Coquin Mans.

Cheltenham Festival flop Getabird got his season back on track with an impressive victory in the Grade 2 Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Novice Hurdle.

The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old was a red-hot favourite for the curtain-raising Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Prestbury Park last month, but faded tamely after cutting out much of the running.

He was the even-money favourite to show his true colours in this two-mile contest and always appeared in control at the head of affairs under Paul Townend, ultimately skipping 12 lengths clear.

Draconien came from the rear to fill the runner-up spot and provide the champion trainer with a one-two.

Coquin Mans claimed top honours in the Grade 2 Keelings Irish Strawberry Hurdle for Mullins and Townend.

Runner-up to stablemate Melon at Down Royal in November, the six-year-old slipped-up at Clonmel the following month and had not been seen in competitive action since.

Carrying the George Creighton silks made famous by Hurricane Fly, Coquin Mans raced on the pace throughout along with Forge Meadow.

There were still five horses in with a chance jumping the second flight from the finish, but Townend cut a confident figure in the saddle and his mount pulled clear for a comfortable five-and-a-half-length success.

Diamond Cauchois, the 7/2 favourite, filled second spot ahead of Let's Dance in third.

DETERMINATION

Ah Littleluck showed real determination to come out on top in the Fairyhouse Steel Handicap Hurdle.

Andrew Lynch was always prominent on the 25/1 shot, who was the only one still on the bridle as they swung for home. An awkward leap two out suggested he may be coming to the end of his tether, with Miles To Memphis bearing down on him, but Tom Gibney's eight-year-old found extra reserves of stamina and pulled away again to score by five and a half lengths.

Gibney said: "He was unlucky in the good novice race here last year when he fell at the last so I'm delighted for him and his owner (Kevin Haigney), who is a good friend of mine. He's been knocking on the door in some good races and it's good to get the win."

Another 25/1 chance, Western Ruler made all under Rachael Blackmore in the Farmhouse Foods Novice Handicap Hurdle.

The Mouse Morris-trained gelding skipped clear between the final couple of flights and crossed the line with six lengths in hand of Quamino.

Morris said: "He went to the third-last but just didn't get home the last day at Naas. Two miles is definitely his thing and he handled the ground. We'll try to find another one and he'll jump a fence in time."

Paper Lantern (14/1) won the three-mile Fred Kenny Lifetime Service to Racing Handicap Chase for local trainer Karl Thornton and jockey Donagh Meyler.

READ ABOUT ALL OF THE ACTION FROM THE FAIRYHOUSE EASTER FESTIVAL IN NEXT WEEKEND'S EDITION OF THE IRISH FIELD