Willie Mullins and Paul Townend's domination at Punchestown continued into race three as Gagewell Flyer held the late charge of his stable companion Earlson Gray in the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle.
Successful in the opening couple of events on Golden Silver and Some Target respectively, Townend employed different tactics on Gagewell Flyer, making all and kicking on after two out. He wasn't fluent at the last though and he was strongly pressed in the closing stages, keeping on well to just hold the strong finish of Earlson Gray by a neck.
Mullins said: "I'm delighted with both horses. I brought Gagewell Flyer back to two miles to get more experience of a fast run race into him and to get him jumping faster.
"He'll probably go for the Neptune Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham now.
"Earlson Gray looks a nice recruit for hurdling. He is still a maiden over hurdles but he won a chase in France and he can't run in maidens as a result. He'll stick to novice hurdles."
Gagewell Flyer is 33/1 (from 40/1) for the Neptune Investments Novices Hurdle with Stan James.
