Bring On The Night emerges as Supreme contender in Shishkin silks

Sunday: Naas

Bring On The Night booked his ticket for the Cheltenham Festival with an eight-length win on stable debut for Willie Mullins in the second division of the 1m7½f maiden hurdle.

Mullins said the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle would be his next target after he recorded a first victory since scoring on the Flat for Andre Fabre in May 2020.

Paddy Power shortened the son of Gleneagles to 20-1 (from 33) for his festival target following this victory under Paul Townend. He displayed plenty of greenness but also a considerable turn of foot to quicken clear from the last.

"He had a setback last year and we were unable to run him, he's in the Supreme and that's where he'll go," said Mullins.

"He'll need to brush up on his jumping but I think he will, he jumps much better at home. He was quite green to jump but Paul said that he knew his job. He ran around a bit at the second-last but he got over it.

"We think he's a good sort. This was probably his last chance to run if we were going to get him to Cheltenham. The way things have gone with him this season I thought he wasn't ready, and if he was going to make it he had to be good enough to win. We think he'll improve a fair bit from today."

Captain back on song

Henry de Bromhead's decision to swerve Cheltenham with Captain Guinness was rewarded as the son of Arakan took the Grade 3 BetVictor Chase under Rachael Blackmore. He convincingly accounted for the Willie Mullins-trained pair Blackbow and Cash Back.

De Bromhead said: "He stayed at it well. I was worried about the ground but it looked a good opportunity.

Captain Guinness: back to winning ways at NaasCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"We decided to give Cheltenham a miss this year and go for this instead. He has the option of the Webster Cup at Navan [March 12] but it's less than two weeks away, so we'll see. There's a two-and-half-mile option at Fairyhouse and also one at Aintree so we'll see."

The trainer and jockey completed a double with the Roger Brookhouse-owned Gabbys Cross, who landed the 2m4½f Grade B handicap chase despite almost bolting going to the start.

He recorded a four-length victory over Irish National hopeful Ballyshannon Rose, and could be targeted at the Grade A novice handicap chase at the Punchestown festival over two miles five furlongs.

Flame burns bright for Doyle

Tipperary trainer Pat Doyle looks to have unearthed another gem in the shape of Flame Bearer and, while he too will not be taking the Cheltenham path, big prizes at Fairyhouse and Punchestown will be sought for this son of Fame And Glory.

Ridden by trainer's son Jack in the Grade 2 BetVictor Novice Hurdle, he picked up in good style between the final two flights to see off front-running Ha D'or, and was always doing enough to beat Meet And Greet by two and a half lengths.

Flame Bearer: Grade 2 winner for Pat DoyleCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"He's now doing what we thought he'd do," said the trainer. "He'll stick at two miles for now and go to Fairyhouse, and we'll see about Punchestown then.

"When I saw him at the Derby Sale, I couldn't come home without him, he had the biggest walk I've ever seen in a horse. He'll make a lovely chaser.

"This course has been lucky for me. I've won a Grade 3 and two Grade 2s, and they've all been here!"

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