TRAINER Willie Mullins and his nephew Danny won the opening two maiden hurdles at Navan on Sunday.

Spread Boss Ted initiated the double, carrying the colours of Roger Brookhouse to a three-and-a-half length success in the Irish Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.

Danny Mullins later said of the 2/1 winner: “It was a good performance dropping back in trip. He maybe got under one or two hurdles down the back but in fairness he sharpened up as the race went on.

“We got to see the improvement we wanted to see after Naas, he was a bit disappointing there and that was a bit more like it today. For a horse with a bit of experience he was still a bit raw but that’s nice to see and hopefully he can build on it in the future again.

“Today at two miles he learned as the race went on and possibly a truly run two miles will suit him.”

Dancing City completed the Mullins brace when quickening up smartly on the run-in to land the BetVictor Proud To Support Irish Racing Maiden Hurdle.

The Mrs Joe Donnelly-owned 9/4 second favourite overcame a mistake at the last to score by four and a half lengths.

“Off the bend I was off the bridle but I was happy that once I met the rising ground I would find more,” said Danny Mullins. “He missed the last and still ran out a good winner so all-in-all it’s probably a good performance.

“Like the horse in the first race, we were hoping he’d improve and it’s nice to see them go and do it. For such a big horse, he’s getting it together.

“When we were chatting this morning about them Paul said the last day he was a bit raw. Between us we made a plan and it worked.

“This was a maiden, hacking around, and in a more truly run race we might see a bit more. He has that bit of class that he will stay but we maybe don’t have to go there just yet.”

GORDON Elliott looks to have an exciting prospect on his hands in the shape of The Enabler, who made all to win the Listed BetVictor Future Champions INH Flat Race.

Ridden by Harry Swan, the 5/4 favourite, carried the colours of owners Gigginstown House Stud to a comfortable four-length success.

Elliott said: “He’s a nice horse. We knew he’d improved, he’s improving the whole time, and I’d say he’s a proper horse.

“We won’t do too much more this year, maybe go to Naas (for a winners’ bumper on February 25th). We’ve all the options for him, he looks very good. I wouldn’t be thinking of going to Cheltenham.”

Harvard Guy won the second listed race on the card, staying on strongly under Mark Walsh to claim the Download The BetVictor App Tara Handicap Hurdle by two lengths.

In the making

The J.P. McManus owned 3/1 joint-favourite was following up a recent success over course and distance. Trainer Eddie Harty reported: “He’s a nice horse in the making, but he is in the making.

“Some of them go up 10lb and it’s a bit like a 16-year-old going from Junior B to Senior in one go, that’s what he’s had to do but he’s won nicely.

“He’ll get further in time and will jump fences in time. He’s going the right way and it’s nice to have one of them again. It’s a while since we’ve had one so if we could keep moseying up.

“He grew up big time today from the last time and he grew up big time the last time from last year which is what you want. Where we go from here, I don’t know.”

When asked if the Dublin Racing Festival could be a target he added: “I would think so, if it wasn’t too quick for him ground-wise. He’s a big raw horse still.”

Claim lost

Jockey Eoin Walsh lost his claim when conjuring a renewed late effort from Butty O Brien to lead close home to edge the Buy Your Navan 2024 Membership Now Handicap Hurdle by a short-head.

The 14/1 chance carried the colours of owners the Black Steel Square Syndicate. Patrick Magee, winning trainer, said: “I thought she got a masterclass ride. They went no gallop and I told Eoin to do whatever he wanted, he just dictated it from the front and stole it.

“He got breathers into her everywhere and she jumped everywhere, I thought Eoin was absolutely brilliant. To me, he’s up there with the best.

“She’s just been a little bit disappointing. She was second in a maiden hurdle to a good horse of Henry de Bromhead’s (Life In The Park) and we thought it was just a matter of finding a race for her then.

“She’s had little niggly problems and this is great today. Fergal (Harford), who co-owns her, is a big part of the team and I’m absolutely delighted for them. His dad Pat bred her as well so it’s a bit special.”

Ryan has Grade 1 Dreams

LUCID Dreams had trainer John Ryan targeting Grade 1 prizes after making all for an effortless 22 length win in the Ryans Cleaning Rated Novice Chase. Co-owned by Ryan, together with Thomas James and Eoin Banville, the 5/6 favourite proved far too strong for his sole rival in a match race.

The winning trainer later revealed: “He’ll probably go for the Grade 1 novice chase at Limerick, he’s entered there. I’d say two and a half is his trip. I was thinking about the 0-140 at Leopardstown but I shouldn’t have come here if I was thinking about that off 140!

“He’ll probably give me a few pounds for that as he hammered him, he put 22 lengths between him. Liam said he felt like he was only doing a hack canter everywhere, he said he was a different class horse. He’s probably a Grade 1 horse, he’s a big strong horse to carry weight.”

Handicap debut

Gavin Cromwell was amongst the winners with his Pour Pavore making a winning handicap debut in the Kevin Brady Car Sales Handicap Chase.

Jockey Kieren Buckley sent the 6/1 chance into the lead five out, staying on strongly to win by 13 lengths for owner Darren Cahill.

“He got into a lovely rhythm and jumped great. When he’s schooling at home, he’s inclined to make a mistake or two,” said Cromwell.

“He was good bar the second last where he was a little bit long. He pressed on plenty soon enough in front but he got away with it, the ground is not as bad as the description. He has the option to go back over hurdles as well, we’ll see.”