Gunfire Reef galloped his rivals into the ground, as he came home a wide margin winner of the first divide of the Newcastle West Handicap Hurdle.

Ridden by Danny Mullins, who was completing a short-priced double, owned by his brother Anthony and trained by their mother Mags, the ten-year-old victor was sent off the 6/5 favourite.

Successful over fences at Tipperary on Sunday, the King's Theatre gelding was looking to exploit his much lower hurdles mark this evening.

In front before the third, Gunfire Reef established a commanding advantage with over a circuit to race and he kept up the gallop all the way to the winning post, coming home forty-six lengths to the good. Moyode Lady (4/1) finished second under Gavin Brouder for James Nash, while Galaxy Girl (10/1) was another six lengths back in third.

Just six of the fourteen who set out for this three mile contest managed to complete the course, with the remaining eight all pulling up.

Danny Mullins, earlier successful on Mystery Stowaway said afterwards: "My mother thought he came out of Tipperary well and decided to take the gamble and come here.

"If he comes out of this well, he might go to Cork tomorrow. He won easily there but it will still take a bit out of him, although my mother is a fair judge of that and I'll leave it up to her.

"It is the first winner I've ridden for my brother Anthony so it's a great family affair."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes