Townshend strikes for Mullins at Perth Willie Mullins struck gold at Perth for second day running as Townshend ran out a comprehensive winner of the Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer Novices' Hurdle. The Closutton maestro saddled his first ever runners at the Scottish venue on Wednesday and enjoyed a perfect start, with Up For Review leading home stable companion Nambour to provide the title-chasing trainer with a one-two. Townshend had disappointed favourite-backers on his first two starts for Mullins at Fairyhouse and Kempton respectively but, dropped in grade, he was a prohibitively priced 1-2 market leader. Paul Townend send the odds-on shot to the front from the start and while his jumping left plenty to be desired in the home straight, he had enough in hand to score by nine lengths from Outlaw Josey Wales. Title leader Paul Nicholls struck back immediately when El Bandit lifted the second division of the Close Brothers Maiden Hurdle at Warwick. After finishing third at the track last time out, the 15-8 second favourite went two places better when obliging under Sam Twiston-Davies to add another £3,249 to the Ditcheat handler's haul. Moving well throughout, the five-year-old forged on over the second-last before pulling clear for a four-length success over early pacesetter Thady Quil. Tom Jonason, assistant trainer, said: "The penny has finally dropped. It probably dropped halfway through his previous race. He was very green in his bumpers and at Taunton first time out over hurdles. He is just an improving type. "He was a nice store horse when we bought him, it has just taken him time to learn what it is all about. Sam said he had a great spin on him and he jumped the last brilliantly. He probably would prefer better ground than a bog, so we might give him another run."
