Mick Mulvany bagged an opening race double at Wexford this afternoon when Barnacullia recorded his second course and distance success.

The Ocovango gelding had landed his maiden hurdle in fine style at the track early last month before finishing fifth in handicap company at Listowel last time.

He went to post a 10/3 shot in today's two-mile rated novice hurdle and was produced to lead jumping the second last by Jordan Gainford. Mc Alpine threw down a strong challenge at the final flight but Barnacullia found plenty to record a three-length success.

The winning trainer said:- "I'm very happy with him and he is improving all of the time.

“I was a little bit disappointed with him the last day in the Lartigue Hurdle, he seemed to miss one or two hurdles there and it wasn't him.

“We think he is an nice horse and he is a great chasing prospect. We've schooled him over fences and he jumps well.

“He looks like a chaser and hopefully he will be. We didn't draw up any plan for him and we will just take it one day at a time, but the long term plan is to go chasing next year."

(Quotes by Donal Murphy)