WILLIE Mullins recorded a feature race double at Punchestown last Saturday as the big guns dominated proceedings at the Kildare track.

Voix Du Reve made it two from two over fences in the Grade 2 Betway Craddockstown Novice Chase when producing a fine front-running performance. Paul Townend’s mount was sent to post the 6/4 favourite for the two-miler and made every post a winning one.

The French-bred, in the colours of Andrea and Graham Wylie, made a couple of jumping errors but had plenty in the tank in the closing stages as he drew clear to record a seven-length success over Hardline.

“I’m very pleased with him,” said Mullins. “He probably wasn’t as sharp as he was in Galway. Paul just thought the bigger fences and bigger track just made a difference. It just takes a bit more jumping around here than Galway.

“I’d imagine we’ll go for something at Christmas. We’ll keep him to the minimum trip and we may look at the Racing Post Novice Chase.”

Stormy Ireland also did it from the front when recording an impressive eight-and-a-half-length success in the Listed Frontline Security Grabel (Mares) Hurdle.

The 5/4 favourite skipped clear after the second last, under Ruby Walsh, and didn’t need to engage top gear to beat stablemate Good Thyne Tara.

It was a clean sweep in the two-mile, two-furlong contest for Mullins, with Ria D’Etel finishing third.

“She seems to improved hugely from last season. The summer break has done her good,” said Mullins, who trains the filly for Sullivan Bloodstock Limited. “She had a few very hard races last season. I thought she looked much stronger and she looked a little tubby in the parade ring beforehand.

“Being able to do that, while looking like that, I think she’ll improve. Ruby changed the bit on her before the race and put a kinder bit on her. She accepted it better.

“We might look for a four-year-old race rather than take on the older horses. I’d imagine we’ll keep her to mares’ races.

“Good Thyne Tara ran her race and she probably wants a longer trip at this stage of her career.

“We were very pleased with Ria D’Etel. We’ll look for a race for her and she wants a longer trip as well.”

UNDERCARD

Gordon Elliott cleaned up on the undercard with a treble.He missed his first couple of winners as he was travelling from England and Ben Dundee kicked off the haul when taking the Ecocup Ireland Beginners Chase.

The 9/2 shot came to lead three out, under Keith Donoghue, and went on before the next for a cosy six-length success.

“He had a great run at Down Royal (when third) behind Delta Work and he got a bit tired that day just going to the line,” said Donoghue, who was wearing owner Chris Jones’ colours.

“We thought he would take a bit of beating today. We’ve always thought that he would be a better chaser and whatever he was going to do over hurdles would be a bonus.

“Hopefully now when he gets a bit more experience over fences there could be a good handicap in him.”

Commander Of Fleet went to post a 1/5 shot for his first outing over timber in the Kildare Now Maiden Hurdle and, despite running greenly in the closing stages, proved a cosy winner.

Davy Russell asked his mount to lead after the second last and he kicked clear before the final flight. The Gigginstown gelding ran around a bit on the run-in but had plenty to spare, beating Kalum River by six lengths.

“That was great and a lovely start,” said Russell. “He’s childish in his ways and these are only just steps along the way.

“It was ideal as we went a reasonable gallop and he picked up well off it.”

Regarding trip, he added: “He’s versatile I’d say. Obviously connections have other horses to be thinking of too. It’s great to have the choice with him.”

ELLIOTT BACK

Elliott was on hand to welcome back Star Maker and Russell after their success in the two-mile novice handicap hurdle.

The 6/1 shot was produced with a late charge on the run-in to secure the spoils by a length. He was warmly greeted by the Thomond Racing Syndicate afterwards.

“He probably runs well fresh and Davy gave him a peach of a ride. It was a real masterclass,” said Elliott.

Got Trumped looked a nice juvenile prospect for the season ahead when claiming the opening Sanctuary Synthetics 3YO Hurdle.

Robbie Power’s mount was left in front two from home by the fall of front-runner Lever Du Soleil.

The Jessica Harrington-trained gelding ran around a touch going to the last but was well on top in the closing stages to post a two-and-three-quarter-length win for David Reid Scott.

“He’s a lovely horse. We bought him at the Ascot sales as an unraced horse and he was still a colt,” said Kate Harrington afterwards.

“He had a lovely run the first day in Listowel but didn’t get a great run in Gowran.

“We’ll probably give him two weeks off now and then aim him at Leopardstown at Christmas. We won’t go to Fairyhouse in two weeks time because he’s had a bit of racing during the summer. He’ll improve with a bit of dig in the ground as well.”

Leopardstown is also on the agenda for Chead Solas after his victory in the Goffs (Pro-Am) INH Flat Race.

Tom Hamilton produced the 13/2 shot with a strong run to lead over a furlong from home and he went on to beat Soldier At War by a length and three-quarters.

“Tom gave him a good ride. He had a good run first time out and improved plenty from it. I’d say he’s got a big engine,” said trainer Joseph O’Brien. “He’s a big horse, he’s 16.2hh. He’ll probably stay in bumpers and go novice hurdling next year.

“I suppose Leopardstown is probably the obvious place to go. He’ll have no problem on softer ground but it’s nice and safe there.”

Acting Stewards

Justice L. Reynolds, Ms M. Cosgrave, W. Flood, P.D. Matthews.

Horse To Follow

SOLDIER AT WAR (G. Elliott) He made a nice debut in the winners’ bumper and should be opening his account soon.

Camilla comes through flying

GORDON Elliott’s victories included another win in the Up The Yard Challenge Race.

The Cullentra handler gave travelling head girl Camilla Sharples the leg up on Markhan in the one-mile, seven-furlong contest and she guided the 5/1 shot to success in a tight finish.