Willie Mullins landed the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran on Thursday with a 1-2-3 finish after his exceptional mare Benie Des Dieux won it for a record fifth time for the Closutton trainer.

Benie Des Dieux made the victory at the Kilkenny track look effortless and she has now been trimmed into the 4/5 favourite from 6/4 to win another Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Mullins didn’t rule his superstar out of the Stayers’ Hurdle either with her odds falling into 7/1 from 12/1 for the 3m Grade One on Thursday of the Festival.

Benie was victorious at Prestbury Park in 2018 when winning the Mares’ Hurdle at 9/2 to finish in front of Midnight Tour and the 1/2 favourite Apple’s Jade, who subsequently was pulled up by Davy Russell in Thursday’s race at Gowran.

Benie was cruising at the 2019 festival before falling at the last under Ruby Walsh, but she is now a short price to get back to winning ways across the pond.

Rachael Blackmore was back in the winners’ enclosure after Aione obliged as the 2/5 favourite to win the Irish EBF Ladies Auction Maiden Hurdle by 5½ lengths.

Boylesports have introduced the seven-year old at 25/1 for the Ballymore should his trainer Willie Mullins opt for that route, having noted that he looks like a chaser in the making. Aione is now a point-to-point, bumper and hurdles winner with plenty to look forward to.

Sarah Kinsella, spokesperson for BoyleSports said: “The Thyestes card at Gowran always offers a few antepost clues and Benie Des Dieux was a very popular Cheltenham pick on Thursday for Willie Mullins, closing into 4/5 from 6/4 for the Mares’ Hurdle and 7/1 from 12/1 for the Stayers’ Hurdle.”