WILLIE Mullins bagged another couple of maiden hurdles at Punchestown on Monday with both Anotherway and Billericay Dickie throwing their hats into the ring for some nice novice prizes in the spring.

In the opening Bet Victor Maiden Hurdle, Anotherway stepped forward nicely from his initial outing for the yard at Leopardstown over Christmas. The Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned gelding went to post a well supported 8/15 shot and his backers had few worries. The Anodin gelding hit the front after the second last, under Paul Townend, and soon settled matters to post a 12-length win over Catena Zapata.

“He stayed well and galloped well the whole way to the line but his jumping left a lot to be desired and he has to improve on that,” said Mullins afterwards. “Maybe it was the heavy ground today because he jumped much better at Leopardstown the last day. I’m disappointed with his jumping but at least he did what he was showing us at home today. Looking at that performance he might be more of a Ballymore horse.”

Good enough

Billericay Dickie made a winning start over timber in the two-and-a-half mile event later on the card.

Townend produced his mount on the inner to lead going to the last and the 8/11 shot soon quickened clear to record an 11-length win in the colours of Joe Donnelly.

“I was delighted with that. I didn’t think he’d go on that ground but Paul said he handled it well,” said Mullins. “For a maiden I thought he jumped very well and he could go wherever he wants.

“We’ll look at a novice hurdle somewhere and we’ll see if Paul thinks he’s good enough for a race across the water (at Cheltenham). I’d like to get another run into him before we go there, if we go there.”

GAVIN Cromwell is hoping Bioluminescence has a bright future after her convincing three-and-a-quarter length win in the two-and-a-half miles mares’ maiden hurdle. The J.P. McManus-owned Walk In The Park mare led turning for home and the 4/7 favourite was always doing enough to beat Tareze. Cromwell said: “She’s a three-mile chaser in the making, she ploughed through that ground and it’s nice to get her head in front. When she goes chasing we’ll see the best of her. She’s a bit leery in front.”

Held up

The testing conditions meant stamina was at a premium on the day and Built By Ballymore revelled in the ground in the rated novice hurdle over the same trip. Martin Brassil’s charge was held up in the early stages by J.J. Slevin and led going to the last to record a comprehensive 12-length win over Silver King. Brassil trains the 11/4 winner for Sean and Bernardine Mulryan, and said:“When I saw the way the ground was I said we might get ‘Limerick’ ground again. He just handles the muck. He mightn’t quicken up but he just keeps going in it. I felt he might have been put in high enough but in those conditions he handles it better than most.”

Three miles proved right up the street of Folly Master as he rewarded good support in the concluding two mile seven furling handicap hurdle. Jim Dreaper’s charge, backed from 8/1 into 16/5 favourite, was held up by Keith Donoghue before travelling well to challenge two from home.

The Famous Name gelding kicked on before the last for a cosy two-and-a-half length win in the colours of Declan O’Farrell. Thomas Dreaper said afterwards: “He’s a fine horse. He won his point-to-point around Bartlemy, which is one of the stiffest and best tracks in the country. It says in the form it was yielding but it was heavy ground on the day so we had no fear about the trip. We ran him over shorter to try and sharpen him up. Three miles in those conditions suited and good owners make all the difference as well. I’ll chat to Keith and we won’t rush with him.”

THE four-year-old handicap hurdle on the card produced a cracking finish with Eagles Reign emerging on top after a duel with Tranquil Sea. Tom Harney had Eagles Reign disputing throughout and the Ross O’Sullivan-trained gelding stuck his neck out gamely in the closing stages to record a half-length win. “Tommy Ward is as good a man as you’ll get and it’s great to get a winner for him at his local track,” said O’Sullivan afterwards. “He wasn’t a superstar on the flat but he seems to be a more consistent, and a better, horse jumping. He might win another little handicap somewhere along the way.”

Patience paid off with Silent Flight in the two-and-a-half mile handicap hurdle as the Mahler gelding ran out a good winner under Jody McGarvey. Philip Byrne’s charge came with a strong surge on the run-in to beat Moonlight Getaway by three-and-a-quarter lengths. “We’re very happy with that. He’s a homebred horse and he’s from a nice family. His brother was a good horse, All For Joy,” said Byrne. “He was impressive enough there and stayed going through the soft ground. We’ll look for something similar and see what the handicapper says. He’s had bits of problems along the way and hasn’t had many runs for his age.”