Faugheen leads Empire Of Dirt over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins was in dominating form at Navan with four winners including the exciting young hurdler Faugheen
A winner on his jumps debut at Punchestown last month to add to victories in a point-to-point and a bumper, the five-year-old raced in second under Ruby Walsh as Empire Of Dirt led the way in the Meath Novice Hurdle.
The 1-9 favourite quickened up to join the leader at the final flight and went away just as he liked to score by four and a quarter lengths without being asked a question.
Mullins' other two successes over the smaller obstacles came from his French conveyor belt, the multiple bumper winner Urticaire putting in an eyecatching Irish debut in the Dunmoe Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Carrying the colours of Gigginstown House Stud, the 4-6 favourite eased into the lead at the second-last in the hands of Davy Russell and quickened clear on the run-in to beat Katie T by four and a half lengths.< Vautour (1-2 favourite) started the ball rolling with an impressive Irish introduction in the Kells Maiden Hurdle, coasting to the front two out and easing five and a half lengths clear under Walsh.
The stable's fourth winner, and a third for Walsh, came when the exciting seven-year-old Felix Yonger maintained his unbeaten record over fences in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Chase.
Russell tried to make all at a quick pace on the smart Trifolium but Walsh kept him in his sights and after moving up smoothly at the second-last, the 1-2 favourite was soon in command and stretched 15 lengths clear.
Bobby McNally rode his first winner since his return to the jockey ranks when Gordon Elliott's Hold Em Cowboy (10-1) bounded clear from the last to win the Yellow Furze Handicap Hurdle by four and a half lengths.
Russell looked to have a double in the bag on Tabhachtach in the Dean Hill Handicap Chase, but he fell at the last and let in Mark Bolger on the Lorna Fowler-trained Good Egg (14-1).
