Mr Mulliner is now three from three over flights at Downpatrick as he took the Sunday In Summer Handicap Hurdle again with Derek Fox in the plate. Moorhill Lad was still there with a chance when slipping up over three furlongs out.

However, it's doubtful he, or much else would have coped with the flying finish from Mark McNiff's top-weight.

The Millenary gelding came from an unpromising position to mow down Overtures and Tellthemnuttin He crossed the line half a length and three parts of a length up on that pair.

McNiff said: "He rides him well. He's a horse that has to be left to get into his own rhythm, you've to ride him really, not the race. He had to give 9lbs and 7lbs to the second and third and he's small enough. I'd have rather run him off a lower weight in a bigger race.

"The Sligo Racing Club have only just bought him off another owner of mine.

"He'll probably now go to Galway for a two mile six handicap on the Saturday if he got in off a low weight."

(MG & EM)