Billaway strengthens at top of Foxhunter market with smart Down Royal success

Billaway was cut to 5-1 favourite (from 7) by Paddy Power for the St James's Place Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham after an impressive defeat of a high-quality field in the feature hunter chase, going one better than in the same race last year.

The Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old might just be able to do the same at Cheltenham, having finished second to It Came To Pass in last season's Foxhunter. He can definitely be said to be improving after this success under Patrick Mullins.

Having seemed to hit a flat spot before the third last, he was back on the bridle before the next and in the end stayed on dourly to defeat prolific point-to-point and hunter chase winners Winged Leader and Aloneamongmillions by upwards of six and a half lengths.

The winning rider said: "His jumping is getting a lot quicker. Last season at Cheltenham he wasn't making any ground at his fences but the winner was, and I think the extra experience he's getting will shorten that gap."

He added: "I think he's still improving. His jumping is getting slicker and that's what he needed to do. He might go to Thurles at the end of January and then to Cheltenham."

Blackmore shines on Arahecan

Rachael Blackmore put down a late marker for ride of the year when she brought the Henry de Bromhead-trained Arahecan from nearly last to land the 2m4f beginners' chase.

The son of Arakan, owned by Roger Brookhouse, had the reputation of being a pretty headstrong individual over hurdles last season. It is a trait that jumping fences might well bring to a halt on its own, but Blackmore managed to switch him off at the back of the field and got him settled and jumping before coming with a perfectly timed challenge at the final fence.

Arahecan (centre) and Rachael Blackmore take the lead at the last in the beginners' chaseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

She also had to put him through a big enough but tightening gap between horses before the last, and he went on to beat the staying-on mare Reine Fee by two and a quarter lengths.

"He had a nice run last time and seemed to improve for it. He jumped really well and settled well, it's a great result," said Blackmore. "We got plenty of cover and he seemed to relax. I couldn't have been happier with him."

Crawford's Flyer impresses

Stuart Crawford seems to have a good team again and bumper debutant Dixie Flyer lowered some decent reputations when making all under the trainer's brother Ben in the bumper.

On quite a good day for front-runners, the four-year-old son of Westerner pulled out plenty from the front to see off the challenge of favourite Prevaricate in scoring by two and three-quarter lengths.

"He's a fair horse and we do have a nice bunch of bumper horses," said the trainer. "Bennie gave him a great ride and had plenty left at the finish. He's not the biggest but he's tough and hardy. A typical Westerner."

Results, replays and analysis

Read more:

HRI responds to demand for more fixtures with four extra Dundalk meetings

Samcro may join Presenting Percy and Delta Work in powerful Elliott Savills team

The real deal? Ronan McNally aiming Irish raider at Grade 1 after 57lb rise

Christmas blow as key meetings go into Tier 3 and no Friday spectators at Ascot

Gavin Sheehan 'definitely appealing' against 14-day Newbury non-trier ban

Did you know you can bet with your online bookmaker without leaving the Racing Post app? Simply sign in to your existing bookmaker account via the accounts button and tap the odds buttons on a racecard to place bets