Allaho led home a one-two-three for trainer Willie Mullins in the Grade 2 Horse and Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles on Sunday.

It was a third victory for the top-class chaser in the Grade 2 contest, and marked a return to winning ways after finishing third in the Grade 1 King George VII Chase.

With conditions appearing to be testing at Thurles, jockey Paul Townend jumped Allaho out in front and remained in control throughout the two-and-a-half mile contest. The ten-year-old gelding began to turn up the heat on his three rivals at the second-last fence and ran out an easy winner, beating stable Stattler into second with Appreciate It back in third.

"Allaho looked back to himself, having not quite got home in the King George," said assistant trainer, Patrick Mullins.

"He isn't getting any younger, it took him a while to warm up into his jumping (at Kempton) and he is better going left-handed.

"Paul was a little worried that he got a hard race in the King George and was coming back quite quickly but the further he went, the better he travelled and jumped.

"He is a big big horse who likes better ground and going left-handed at Cheltenham suits him down to the ground. I'd imagine it is all roads back to the Ryanair (Chase) now.

"Today's race was a Grade One in all but name, with all being Grade One winners, so it is great for Thurles and it is a brilliant race to target every year."

Paddy Power shortened Allaho from 3/1 favourite to 5/2 for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in March.