Review FAIRYHOUSE 10TH FEB

Cheltenham Bumper hero Joe Cullen belied a lack of market confidence to return to the winner's enclosure in Division One of the Ashbourne Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Saturday.

Willie Mullins' star drifted from an early 1/1 to his starting price of 3/1jf, but was always travelling well and eventually scored by nine lengths, earning a quote of 8/1 (from 20/1) for the Supreme Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Confirming that race as his target, the trainer said : 'I was delighted with that performance, as he hated the heavy ground.'

'He jumped well, and while I would like to get some further 'match practice' into him, I'm not sure if he'll run again before the festival.'

Mullins later doubled up for the afternoon when One Night Out added his name to the yard's list of Cheltenham Bumper possibles with a stylish success in the Black Bull Flat Race.

Champion trainer Noel Meade also enjoyed a good day at the office, saddling a brace through Native Dara and Neath Native Sky.

The victories were achieved in contrasting fashion, with the first-named making all to land the Easter Festival Handicap Chase to earn a possible trip to the Cotswolds for either the Mildmay of Flete Chase or Coral Cup, in which he finished second in 2000.

Neath Native Sky meanwhile required every yard of the 2m4f trip to capture the Red Bog Mares' Novice Hurdle under promising claimer Ian Power.