Kaid d'Authie puts Mullins back on the winning path

Under Paul Townend he looked comfortable throughout the two-mile-four-furlong affair, happily staying on to a straightforward half-length victory from Henry de Bromhead's Koktail Divin.

Kaid D'authie, with Mark Walsh up, crosses the line to win the Savills Maiden Hurdle on day three of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Willie Mullins' Christmas fortunes took a turn for the better as Kaid d'Authie impressed to win the Savills Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The four-year-old had made only one prior start for his powerhouse stable, having been fifth behind now-stablemate Majborough at Auteuil in April last year for previous connections.