Quite a keen-going sort over hurdles, there was always the hope that jumping fences might help curb his enthusiasm somewhat, and so it proved as he put in an accomplished display and won with plenty to spare. His stablemate, Ho My Lord, also posted a big effort in defeat, as he pushed the winner to four and a half lengths.

Said winning rider Paul Townend, who was riding him for the first time: “Very manageable, which was a pleasant surprise, and he has a lot more respect for the fences than he had for the hurdles — he used to bring a hurdle with him. On the whole, he jumped brilliantly.

“He’s more professional and has more options over fences because he’s maturing. Even when I asked him — and I was afraid of asking him too much — he settled at the back of the fences, which is a good sign. It’s what you wanted.

“Over hurdles he was a difficult ride, and your hands were tied a bit, but I’d say you could do what you want with him over fences.” 

The feature was the listed Make Your Best Bet At BetVictor Chase, and victory went to Mullins’ Classic Getaway, ridden by Danny Mullins.

A lightly raced seven-year-old, who cost £570,000 when sold in December 2020, he had just two outings over fences last season, winning first time up and running a respectable race in a Grade One on his second.

The Cheveley Park Stud gelding set out to make all and he jumped well and galloped away in good style to beat his stablemate, Haut En Couleurs, who, post-race, was found to be lame.

Said the winning rider: “We were hoping he could do something like that today. He always promised to and is starting to deliver. His jumping is so good, and he probably wasn’t getting that advantage over hurdles.

“For a horse of his size he has great agility and with that size maybe he was that bit weak early in his career. We took a few nice scalps there and hopefully it is on towards Christmas now.” 

Mullins recorded his third and Townend his second when Lombron, owned by the Roaringwater Syndicate, made a winning debut for connections in the Sign Up To GavinLynchRacing.com Maiden Hurdle.

The four-year-old, who finished third on his only outing in his native France, was prominent throughout, hit the front early in the straight and picked up well to win readily despite an awkward jump at the last.

Fun Fun Fun made it four for Closutton when making a winning debut over timber in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares’ Maiden Hurdle. Ridden by Patrick Mullins, who owns her dam, and carrying the colours of Isaac Souede and Simon Munir, she made all the running, jumped well throughout and won with her head in her chest.

“She jumped brilliantly,” said the winning rider. “The pedigree is all Yorkhill and all three-mile chasers. The way she jumped she can stay at two miles, and she’s keen, so she likes to get on with things. We might come back here for a mares’ novice hurdle at the end of the month but that might be too soon, but hopefully we’ll be going for black-type, anyway, after today.” 

Of her free-going tendencies, which were in evidence in bumpers, he added: “She is definitely better than she was. When I rode her in Punchestown, it was like her tail was on fire, but maybe that was the end of a long season. I think the hurdles will help her, and I think she could probably jump a fence in time, if the owners want to.” 

The completion of the Mullins five-timer and Townend treble came courtesy of Daddy Long Legs, in the Killinan Maiden Hurdle. Once-raced in France, the €210,000 purchase took to the discipline seamlessly and is a fine prospect for owners Joe and Marie Donnelly.

“He was smart and quickened well for a horse who ran over a mile and a half in France,” said Townend. “What his future is I don’t know but he couldn't have done more than turn up and win the way he did. I hadn’t sat on him a whole lot at home, but he had been working well and from the first day I schooled him he was a natural to jump.” 

He holds a Grade One entry at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.

Gordon Elliott’s team continues in great form and Reddys Island, who is declared to run again on Saturday, justified heavy support under a strong ride by Jack Kennedy in the Racing Again Sunday December 17 Handicap.

Philip Rothwell is another trainer with his team in top form, and stable debutant Woodstream Lad became his 26th winner of the season when running away with the Horse & Jockey Handicap Hurdle under a confident ride by Fidelma Elvin.