WILLIE Mullins was in double form at Thurles on Thursday week afternoon as Gentleman De Mee (148+) and Adamantly Chosen (145+) both impressed on the clock and put themselves forward for stepping up in grade on home soil rather than making the trip to Cheltenham.

Gentleman De Mee opened his account over fences with a dominant front-running display in the hands of Mark Walsh in a time 9.8secs faster than Hollybank King (102) over the same course and distance. The difference between the two races reduced to just 3.4secs on the final circuit illustrating how fast the JP McManus-owned gelding had gone throughout the two-mile contest.

In the early stages of the final circuit, the novice was 5.0secs ahead of the handicappers who finished off slightly faster for a contrasting degree of effort. The relevant data being Gentlemen De Mee 65.8secs and Hollybank King 64.0secs.

The champion trainer nominated the Flying Bolt Chase at Naas as a likely next target for the winner, a repeat of this performance will make the six-year-old very difficult to beat.

Adamantly Chosen posted the fastest time-figure when adjusted for distance and, in comparison to The Little Yank and Falcon Eight, also clocked the fastest sectionals.

The Paul Townend-ridden five-year-old completed the final circuit in 2m 50.4secs and was most impressive through the closing sectional from the third last as he covered the ground in 57.2secs.

The Little Yank (130) was slightly faster than Falcon Eight (128) as they posted respective circuit times of 2m 38.1secs and 2m 39.9secs and closing sectionals of 59.2secs and 59.4secs.

Elixir De Nutz (143+), Kempton, Friday 11th February – jumped well and won easily, his achievements on the clock suggest he can step up in grade

My Oberon (107), Southwell, Sunday 13th February – made a winning debut on the all-weather, the Winter Derby could be on his agenda

Trelawne (130+), Exeter, Sunday 13th February – made an impressive winning debut over hurdles posting the fastest overall and circuit time of the day