Midnight adds further strength to Mullins team

The William Hill Supreme Novices Hurdle is on the agenda for Midnight Game following a convincing victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Irish Racing Writers Novice Hurdle.

The 7/4 joint favourite was completing a treble on the afternoon for champion trainer Willie Mullins, successful earlier with the odds-on pair Marasonnien and Mikael D'Haguenet

Davy Russell produced the Montjeu gelding to challenge Dyland Ross (2/1) approaching the final flight, and was well on top on the run-in to score by a comfortable two and a quarter lengths.

The other 7/4 joint favourite Distant Memories lost his chance when blundering badly at the second last, eventually finishing another nine and a half lengths adrift in third.

Mullins said, “Davy gave him a lovely ride and put him asleep at the back. He didn't enjoy jumping out of that ground, and I'd be hoping for plenty of improvement on dryer ground.

“I would imagine with his gears that he'll go for the Supreme Novices Hurdle.”

Stan James cut the five-year-old gelding to 20/1 (from 25's) for the Supreme Novices Hurdle.