THE Cheltenham Festival heroine Let’s Dance bounced back from her abortive reappearance at Punchestown last month to land the Grade 3 Willis Towers Watson Irish EBF Mares Hurdle for the second year in succession at Leopardstown on Friday.

As she builds towards a possible clash with Apple’s Jade at Cheltenham in March, the Susannah Ricci-owned mare ran out a clear-cut winner to show that she remains at least as good as ever.

A patient Paul Townend allowed the evens favourite to creep into contention over the final mile and Let’s Dance didn’t have much difficulty in dealing with the front-running Forge Meadow in the straight.

The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old drew away over the last furlong to prevail by eight lengths to provide some welcome solace for the Mullins team after a trying day on Thursday.

“You will get days like yesterday but it was tough to take what happened to Nichols Canyon. He was such a lovely horse who always gave his all and he’d a huge heart,” reflected Patrick Mullins. “This mare came here in good form, she was working well and won the race last year so we were hoping that she’d win and it’s great that she’s done that.”

Minella Encore ensured the day ended on a bright note for the champion trainer as he made it two wins from as many starts in bumpers in the Guinness Flat Race.

The David Bobbett-owned gelding lined up off a hard fought debut success at Fairyhouse at the start of the month and looks to have progressed well on the evidence of this victory over a couple of decent previous winners.

Patrick Mullins made the running on the 3/1 chance who found plenty from the turn-in. Minella Encore first saw off the favourite Daly Tiger and then he stayed on in determined fashion to contain The Gunner Murphy by a length and three parts.

“I thought that Patrick was fantastic on him and he read the horse right as he felt the hard race that he had at Fairyhouse would stand to him,” observed Mullins. “It’s testament to the horse that he’s improved off a hard race. I was going to go hurdling with him but I think he might stick to bumpers for this season.”

Henry de Bromhead sent out a 50/1 winner at the outset of the four-day Festival and he supplied another big priced winner in Dicey O’Reilly (18/1) in the Pigsback.com Maiden Hurdle.

This winning pointer was well held on his racecourse debut at Cork last month but he was an altogether different proposition here.

The Stowaway five-year-old relished this two and a half mile test and he was much the strongest of the leading quintet on the run for home.

All five of the leaders were in with a chance as they turned in but none could match Dylan Robinson’s mount who stayed on powerfully to defeat Mortal by three and a half lengths. Someday was third with the favourite Ballyward fourth.

“We bought him after he won his point at Knockanard which is a track that produces plenty of good horses,” remarked de Bromhead.

“There was a few long faces after his first run at Cork but he’s shown there what he was showing us at home. He’s a real chasing type who stays well and he’ll go for a novice now. I’m delighted for his owners Brian and Carmel Acheson who are great supporters of the yard.”

Mind’s Eye (4/1) capped an excellent week for de Bromhead in the Top Oil Irish EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle where he succeeded with a good deal more ease than the three quarter lengths winning margin would suggest.

A runner-up to Samcro before then winning a Fairyhouse maiden, this Gigginstown-owned gelding tanked his way through the race under Davy Russell and he had still to come off the bridle nearing the final flight. Russell never had to get that animated for the Stowaway gelding to shake off Snugsborough Hall before then holding the effort of Darkest Flyer.

“He’s a nice horse and I was pleased to see him get the two and a half miles so well,” remarked the trainer. “We’ll just see what the handicapper does and I’ll talk to Michael and Eddie (O’Leary) before deciding where he goes next.”

Spider Web banished a couple of indifferent efforts to the distant past in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase.

The J.P. McManus-owned gelding was a well-backed 13/2 joint favourite (from 9/1 on track) for his second handicap outing and ultimately proved far too strong for these rivals to give jockey Shane Crimin his first winner since September 2016.

Spider Web took over in front on the long run for home - the last fence being bypassed due to the sun - and he maintained a relentless tempo from early in the straight. This enabled him to come home seven and a half lengths clear of the staying on top-weight Bilko.

“He’s a really good jumper and chasing is his game,” reflected Tom Mullins.

“I fancied him the last day but I’d say two miles isn’t his thing and this two miles five furlongs was much more suitable. I just couldn’t get him to improve over hurdles last season but he’s come back a better horse this season.”

LOTS MORE CHRISTMAS RACING NEWS IN THE IRISH FIELD THIS WEEKEND