PAT Doyle nurtured the early career of Flame Bearer, one of the many winners over the weekend that are trained in Closutton by the maestro, Willie Mullins. Under Doyle’s tutelage the eight-year-old son of Fame And Glory (Montjeu) won two bumper and three hurdle races, including the Grade 2 Johnstown Novice Hurdle at Naas and the Grade 2 Hardy Eustace Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

On his last start for Doyle, at last year’s Punchestown Festival, Flame Bearer was second in the Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle. The bay has raced exclusively over fences since joining Mullins, winning three of his six starts. He won the Grade 3 Pierce Molony Memorial Novice Chase on his way to leading a clean sweep for Mullins in the Grade 1 WillowWarm Gold Cup Novice Chase at the weekend.