He may have drifted pretty markedly in the ring (2/5 to 4/6) before the Next Meeting Feb 7th (QR) (C&G) Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel but that made not a whit of difference to Ballycasey as he brought up a double for Willie and Patrick Mullins.

Following on from eight to one on shot, Glens Melody earlier, it was a similar story for Ballycasey as he asserted with a good jump two out to convincingly beat Noble Pageant by seven lengths.

Mullins (of course he was unlucky not to have had a treble – Cadspeed s last fence fall) said of the Mrs Susannah Ricci-owned former 'pointer' and bumper winner: "The Dorans Pride at Limerick is a possibility now. He's a chaser in the making but he'll stay hurdling this season."

Patrick Mullins now needs another six winners to become the winning-most amateur rider in a calendar year in Ireland. (TW & EM)