Rule Supreme rules at Clonmel

Willie Mullins' Rule Supreme returned to action after his French Champion Hurdle win and put up a gritty performance to land the Prior Park Service Station Clonmel Handicap Hurdle.

Despite having to carry top weight of 12st in the grueling three-mile contest, the 12-1 shot overcame an absence of 152 days to see off Bennie’s Pride by a head.

The pair jumped the last flight together and were locked in a battle as they ploughed through the mud on the run-in, with last season’s Royal & SunAlliance Chase winner just getting his head in front on the line.

Camptect stayed on to take third.

The winner’s stablemate, Hedgehunter, led the field for most of the 13-runner race, but tired leaving the back straight.

Winning trainer Willie Mullins said: "I'm surprised and delighted. Rule Supreme will now take his chance in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday week.

“Jamie (Codd) got on well with him and he was always travelling well. He appreciates a good test of stamina, as he’s shown again today.

“He will mix it between hurdles and fences this season and he will be entered in the Gold Cup, but the Stayers’ Hurdle (now the Ladbrokes World Hurdle) is a more realistic target at this stage.

“His jumping over fences has never been as good as his jumping over hurdles.”

Mullins was not too disappointed with the run of Hedgehunter considering his main aim for the season is the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree next April.

He added: “They probably went off a bit too fast for the first mile. The Grand National is his sole main target for this season – that’s the race his owner (Trevor Hemmings) wants to win.

“We will probably try to find a suitable hurdle race for his next race, but I don’t know where yet.”