Stars eclipsed by Unaccompanied

Dermot Weld’s Unaccompanied grabbed Grade One glory in the Istabraq Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Paul Townend held last season’s Triumph Hurdle runner-up towards the back of the pack for much of the contest, but she made good headway into third before the turn for home.

Once Townend asked the 100-30 chance a question on the run to the final flight, she quickened up well, with a bold leap sealing a one-and-a-half-length victory.

Even-money favourite Thousand Stars was second.

Thousand Stars - the sole representative for champion trainer Willie Mullins in the absence of Hurricane Fly - was the hot favourite following an impressive front-running victory in last month's Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.

Ruby Walsh employed different tactics this time and while the grey stayed on towards the finish, Unaccompanied had already built up an unassailable lead.

Weld’s filly, in receipt of 10lb from the favourite and the majority of the field, lined up off the back of a Listed win at Naas and took in her stride this step up in class.