Sir Gerhard was knighted in the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle in a hard working perfomance for Willie Mullins.
The seven-year-old was made to work by Henry De Bromhead's Journey With Me on soft ground but jumped well and powered on to a three and a half length win from Gordon Elliott's Three Stripe Life.
Last year's Champion Bumper winner produced a well timed run at the last hurdle with the unfortunate Journey With Me falling and Townend getting the business done for Cheveley Park Stud.
Sir Gerhard, with the white face, raced keenly as Hemlock and Journey With Me made the running but Townend knew his mount had too much in the locker when it came to the crunch.
Meanwhile, Mullins also got third place as Whatdeawant stayed on for bronze in an exciting Ballymore renewal where the Irish claimed the 1-2-3.
Yet, there was no stopping 8/11 favourite Sir Gerhard from putting the field to the sword.
