Review naas 7th Jan

Next Destination maintained his unbeaten record over obstacles with a victory in the Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle.

Fourth in last season's Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old began life over hurdles with impressive wins at this venue and Navan and was sent off 8-15 favourite to give his handler a fourth win in the Grade One event in the last five years.

Always going well for Paul Townend behind the pacesetting Jetz , he took it up early in the home straight and had enough in the tank to repel the late surge of Cracking Smart by a length.

Mullins had already got on the scoresheet as French recruit Demi Sang justified strong market support to make a winning debut for the yard in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Chase.

Avenir D'une Vie looked in control approaching the last but the 11-10 favourite really began to respond for Barry Geraghty on the run in and wore down the front runner to score by a length and a quarter.

Mullins completed a treble, and Townend his double, when Asthuria justified 1-3 favouritism in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase by a facile 15 lengths from Golden Flowerpower .

Another Barney made a winning debut under Rules for Jessica Harrington in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle, with Robbie Power producing the 4-1 chance at the second-last and going on to beat Border Control by five and a half lengths.

Blue Empyrean made the most of bottom weight when taking the Eastcoast Seafood & Gouldings Hardware Handicap Chase.

With all seven runners in with a chance approaching the last, it was Keith Watson's charge that stayed on best for Andrew Ring and crossed the line two and a quarter lengths to the good from Eiri Na Casca .

Mick The Boyo edged out Urbanist by a neck to score at 5-1 in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, while Espanito Bello (6-4) sent favourite backers home happy with a length-and-a-quarter success over Killacolla in the Rushe's Supervalu (Pro/Am) Flat Race.