'He's some horse! He got me out of trouble there' - Flame burns bright for Doyle

Sunday: Fairyhouse

Jack Doyle admitted Flame Bearer got him out of trouble in the Grade 2 Tom Quinlan Electrical Novice Hurdle and thinks the seven-year-old could make it right to the top.

It was quite the performance from Flame Bearer as the 5-4 favourite got into more trouble than Norman Price up the home straight but came with a late surge to beat Ha D'or by a neck.

Winning jockey Doyle, son of trainer Pat, said: "He's some horse! He got me out of trouble there.

"On that quicker ground his jumping probably wasn't as good, he's never jumped at that speed in his life and he'll have learned a lot again today. He's doing things right at home and doing them on the track. He could go all the way.

"He's a horse with a very big engine. I got pushed in and then I had to try and get down Paul's [Townend, on Ha D'or] inner but that was never going to happen. Once I got over the last and he got running I knew I was going to get there."

Doyle added: "He could go a long way. He's not the most straightforward horse to train, he's had niggly issues, but he seems to be mature and he's doing things well now."

'She's a dream'

Michael Hourigan has had his licence since 1973 but the popular 74-year-old said he still loves what he does and there was a glint in his eye after Dorans Weir won the Listed mares' bumper.

The six-year-old chased home subsequent Albert Bartlett winner The Nice Guy in a Leopardstown bumper over Christmas, a race the trainer felt she should have won, and he is convinced she has a big future.

Michael Hourigan: training career began in 1973Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

A smiling Hourigan said: "She's a dream and I'm lucky to have her. She's the one that will keep me going for another few years. She should have won in Leopardstown and we'll look at Punchestown now.

"I have only 12 horses riding out but I wouldn't give away any one of them. They've all run well and are young horses."

"I'm loving it but the problem we have is no staff, it would break your heart. Fellas come in and ride out but some days they don't come in at all.

"The days they don't come in you lunge them and school them in the loose school. It's just a nightmare, I would not like to be starting out but I love what I'm doing. I'm 60 years at it now and I'll be 75 at Christmas."

Mullins surprised

Willie Mullins was surprised to come away with a double as he was more hopeful than confident about the prospects of Dolcita and Bronn.

The champion trainer thought Jeremys Flame would be tough to beat in the Listed mares' chase but it was outsider Hurricane Georgie who proved Dolcita's biggest threat and she flew home to get within a head of the even-money favourite.

Willie Mullins: double for the top trainerCredit: Edward Whitaker

Mullins said: "When I saw the entries for the race, I thought it was going to be tough to beat Jeremys Flame.

"Dolcita was very brave and Paul Townend was very brave on her. He decided beforehand he was going to be positive on her as he felt she was a good jumper. I think our mare has improved all season and she will head to Punchestown next for a Grade 2."

On Bronn, winner of the Grade 2 2m4f novice hurdle, he added: "He surprised me on that ground, I thought he might want more juice in it."

Mullins' nephew Danny was completing a double on Bronn having also landed the on Song Of Earth for his mother Mags.

Replays, results and analysis

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday