Billaway repeated last year's win in the Naas Hunters Chase when again beating Staker Wallace in the three-miler this afternoon.

Patrick Mullins had to sit tight after a few errors on the way around and the Well Chosen gelding got in close to the second last when coming to challenge.

A better leap at the last gave him the lead and Willie Mullins' charge galloped on well on the run-in to post a two-and-a-quarter length victory.

The 8/11 shot was following up on a success at Down Royal in December and his sights are now set on a return to Cheltenham having finished second in the Foxhunter there last season.

Mullins senior:- “He did what he had to do in the end but he just made hard work of it.

“Patrick said he wasn’t in love with that ground so it was good to do what he did. He said he didn’t like jumping out of that ground.

“He’ll head now for the Foxhunters at Cheltenham.”

Billaway consolidated his position at the head of the market for the St James Palace Hunters Chase at Cheltenham, and is as short as 5/2 favourite (from 7/2) with Paddy Power and Betfair Sportsbook on Non-Runner No Bet terms.

It was a double on the card for the champion trainer after the earlier victory of Bachasson

(Quotes by Alan Magee)