Gowran's opening Noreside Catering Irish EBF Beginners Chase today was a high-class Christmas festivals trial race with Willie Mullins completing a 1-2-3, headed by Classic Getaway (8/1) under the champion trainer's nephew Danny Mullins.

Mullins' Grade 1-winner Minella Cocooner make the running and had shaken off the challenge of keen-going high-class hurdler Journey With Me when that rival fell at the second-last.

Classic Getaway, also keen, raced mostly third, challenged at the second-last, led at the last and beat stablemate Minella Cocooner by two and three parts of a length. Stablemate Whatdeawant third in Cheltenham's Ballymore Novices Hurdle, finished 27 lengths further adrift in third.

Trainer Mullins, on a war footing with his winter horses, said “the ground is perfect for us so I wanted to get the three of them out. It’s not ideal but we let them take each other on and have them ready for Christmas so we know where we are going now.”

He added “Paul (Townend, on Minella Cocooner) was a shade unlucky having to make all the running and the horse was a little green in front which cost him, as well as the mistake at the last. Take nothing from the winner, who travelled the whole way and jumped well. He had the benefit of getting a lead but did come through and jumped well. He did everything right.

“Whatdeawant might need a longer trip but was a little more novicey than the other two. They are three nice novices to go to war with at Christmas.”

Quotes from Alan Magee