Ballyburn back on top with Leopardstown verdict

Willie Mullins said: "I never lost faith, Kempton was just a bit sharp for him and I suppose Kempton lit him up as well, so he was fairly lit today with Paul.

BACK ON TOP: Ballyburn, with Paul Townend up, on their way to winning The Ladbrokes Novice Steeplechase during day two of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown Racecourse. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Ballyburn bounced back from an emphatic Christmas reverse at the hands of Sir Gino with a determined victory in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

A triple Grade One-winning novice hurdler last season, Ballyburn made a fine start to his career over fences at Punchestown in November but was no match for a rampant Sir Gino in the Wayward Lad Novices' Chase at Kempton over the festive period.