Trainer Willie Mullins' horses are beginning to hit top gear and his Gagewell Flyer made all for an impressive win in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle at Navan today.

Ridden by Paul Townend, the son of Deploy (backed into 4/1 from 11/2) stretched clear of his rivals in the straight to eventually hold Buck Barrow by four and a half lengths.

Afterwards Mullins stated "I was pleasantly surprise by that win as I was afraid the trip (2m) was on the short side for him. We were going to send him chasing but I will now chat with his owners and may decide to stay hurdling. Staying distances should suit him better and he should be better on better ground in the spring."

Thomas Weekes