IT was doubles all round for Joseph O’Brien, Mark Walsh and Paul Townend at Naas on Sunday as Champion Green (103+) and Stattler (158) confirmed themselves for Cheltenham next month, and The Nice Guy also enhanced his chances of making the Closutton squad bound for Prestbury Park.

Stattler impressed at his fences at Fairyhouse and, although not quite at the same level over his obstacles in the Grade 3 Business Club Novices Chase, the performance on the clock left his debut achievements well behind.

Generous gallop

The field set out at a more than generous gallop from flag fall illustrated by the slow-to-start Noble Yeats becoming quickly detached as En Baton jumped accurately at the head of affairs.

The main bulk of the field raced close together until entering the back straight on the final circuit where Danny Mullins asked his mount to stretch the field.

Darrens Hope and Stratum found the injection of pace against them as the Grade 3 runners covered the ground in the back straight to the fifth last fence 4secs quicker than the handicappers in the next race.

Turning for home, Farouk D’Alene (157) and Stattler asserted with the winner posting a closing sectional from the fifth last of 94.7secs to further increase the advantage over the comparison race by 0.4secs in the reduced race.

Willie Mullins confirmed the winner to be on the way to the National Hunt Chase where he may meet the runner-up again as he also holds an entry in the long-distance chase.

Darasso (152) produced the best performance on the clock of the day when overturning odds-on favourite Saint Felicien (148) who, despite being beaten, took a major step forward when measured against the clock.

Felix Desjy set a scorching pace and, unlike at Leopardstown, the former smart novice was fluent at his hurdles so maintained the gallop until turning for home.

Saint Felicien struck for the line at the second last hurdle although Mark Walsh always looked to have Robbie Power’s move covered as his partner enhanced his already superb record in small fields.

The closest race in terms of comparison was The Nice Guy who, although nowhere near the equivalent overall time when adjusted for distance, was within 5.7secs in a shortened race from the final flight with a circuit to cover.

In terms of the closing sectional, the Willie Mullins-trained winner was closer as he covered the ground from the fourth last in 80.6secs, Darasso stopped the clock at 78.1secs. The novice’s effort gains more credibility when the changing ground conditions during the meeting are taken into consideration.