BOTH Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott enjoyed doubles on the Downpatrick card last Friday.

Williamstowndancer justified favouritism for Mullins in the Joe Rea Memorial Maiden Hurdle.

On her last start, she finished third in a Grade 2 mares’ bumper at Aintree which saw her go off 8/11 favourite for her debut over flights.

She took much closer order before two out and moved ominously well to hit the front before the final obstacle where she was less than fluent. The Beat Hollow mare asserted on the run-in to win by four lengths.

Jockey Patrick Mullins, in the Blackrock Racing Syndicate colours, said: “She was (very good). She hurdled fantastically, she is like a cat. She’s not big, one of the smallest in the yard. Even the last hurdle where she was wrong, she was quick at it.

“She will probably be a better hurdle mare than she was a bumper mare.”

Hunter Chase

Mullins also steered Billaway home for his father in the Down Royal Breeders Hunters Chase.

This was the first time that the 11-year-old gelding had encountered an extended three and a half miles and he readily took to it.

Billaway (10/3) was always prominent in this staying test and headed the favourite Vaucelet two out before keeping on well to prevail by three lengths.

Jockey Mullins said: “Every jump you just have to be forward into it. A three-mile chaser you should be able to get into a rhythm and let them pop away.

“He has been a super horse, he has been sound and on the go five or six years. He has gone to Cheltenham and he has gone to Aintree, which he didn’t like, and he has been here and Down Royal.

“Any owner would be proud to have him and John Turner really enjoys him.”

Set and match

to Elliott duo

GORDON Elliott’s brace was initiated by 11/4 favourite Set Point in the Tote Always SP Or Better Handicap Hurdle over an extended two and a quarter miles.

Ben Harvey steered him into the lead on the run-in and the five-year-old gelding climbed the hill well to post a victory by two and three-quarter lengths for owner Mrs Clodagh Lacy.

Harvey said: “The horse travelled well and jumped. He had a lovely run in Kilbeggan a couple of weeks ago.

“Stepping up in trip a little bit here today suited him and I got a lovely tow into the race down to the last. When I gave him a squeeze, he quickened up the hill. I thought I won nicely.”

Elliott’s The Wallpark went off 1/2 favourite for the Frank & Brian Fitzsimmons Flat Race, but it was far from straightforward.

Late work

He was off the bridle half a mile from home, but found for Harry Swan and put in good late work to draw four lengths clear for owner Francis Mangan.

Swan said: “He looks a real stayer. I’d say he didn’t handle the track as well as we thought. I think he will improve again off that. He was off the bridle a long way out, but I think he is still a bit green.

“I was a little bit (worried), but I was kind of secretly confident, I knew he still had loads left even though I was off it.”

AN absence of almost a year proved no hindrance to 25/1 shot Tick Along in the Earlybird Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.

The first reserve got a run when Portland Row was ruled out with a temperature. She travelled well into the lead two out and soon disputed with A Dublin Job, but that rival departed at the last after being headed.

The grey mare was kept up to her work by Tommy Reilly to come in by two and three-quarter lengths from Hockworthy Flyer.

Trainer Tom McCourt said: “She has always been a nice enough mare for this type of race, but just plagued with niggly little problems. They were setting her back all the time.

“It is great for Peter McCaffrey who has been with me years and nothing ever went right for him - this is his first winner. A lovely family and it is great to see him finally getting the win.

“Tommy has a good record around here.”

Asserted

Lakefield Flyer won on his debut over fences in the Remembering Caughoo Beginners Chase.

The 7/2 favourite asserted for Jody McGarvey after the penultimate fence and had plenty in the tank as he strode in by two and three-quarter lengths for owner Tom Gaughan.

McGarvey said: “He jumps very well. It wasn’t the plan to make the running, but he jumped so well that I wasn’t going to give the ground away.

“He had a little look in front and I had him nice and relaxed, and he was breathing well. I didn’t feel like I was going too hard.

“I was talking to him (Shark Hanlon, trainer) about an hour ago and he informed me that was a certainty! They are all watching in an Irish pub in Chantilly.”

Strong

Gorthill (11/2) stayed on best for Noel McParlan to win the Down Royal Breeders Maiden Hunters Chase by four lengths.

This extended two miles and seven furlongs proved well within his compass as he was strong up the hill to beat Big Girl Betty.

Caroline McCaldin said: “I train in Dromara and this is my local track. It is a lovely track, Richard Lyttle and his team are brilliant here. I think that is five winners under rules now.” He won in the colours of the trainer’s husband, Alan McCaldin.