Willie Mullins completed a Naas treble today, as Western Diego (6/5f) was the champion trainer's latest horse to enter Cheltenham festivals plans, in winning the concluding Naas Nursery Of Champions Bumper

A point-to-point winner for Mark Scallan at Carrigarostig in January 2022 and running in a hood today, the six year old made all, under Patrick Mullins, for a smart 6.5 lengths success over Suttons Hill

Mullins, who usually runs 50-60 horses at Cheltenham in March, reported “he did it well, making all his own running which is a hard thing to do around here.

“That books his ticket to go across the water if Steve Parkin (owner, Clipper Logistics Group) wants to go, which I'm sure he will. It's nice for Steve who is more associated with the Flat.”

Mullins, earlier successful with Echoes In Rain and Seabank Bistro added “we had a hood on him and he was free so we weren't going to hang around. Patrick thinks he'll be fine in a stronger run race. He stays well, he's by Westerner. He looks like a nice staying novice for next year.”

Quotes from Gary Carson