Trainer Willie Mullins celebrated his fifth Grade One win of the 2025 Randox Grand National Festival when Salvator Mundi (7-2) came home the decisive seven-length winner of the Trustatrader Top Novices’ Hurdle.

Wearing the famous silks of Joe and Marie Donnelly, the five-year-old took the lead two out and came home well for a comfortable success,

Willie Mullins said: “His work at home has been very good. I was disappointed that it had taken him this long to win a Grade 1, but we changed tactics a little bit today and decided to let him get at it, and I think it worked finally.

“They went a really good pace and Paul got him settled. He jumped well - just a little bit to the right up the straight, but Paul felt that he was correcting himself. That’s a good sign that he was able to think about that when galloping at speed.

“He thinks he’s faster than he is - that’s what goes on in his head - but he’s learning to settle and with more racing he’ll settle and he’ll be better.”

Winning rider Paul Townend said: “I won’t lie, over the first and around the bend I was a bit worried - I’d set out to make more use of him, but when he was settled where he was I stayed there. Cheltenham probably didn’t suit him as much as here. We know he has a big engine - he disappointed us at Cheltenham, to be honest, and I wanted to disprove that he wasn’t good enough. He was back to himself here, fast ground suited him.”

Gordon Elliott, trainer of the second Romeo Coolio, said: “"He ran a great race. The ground would be as quick as he wants it but the winner was very good. I would imagine he won’t do much more this season and he is horse to go chasing with next year.”