Tornado Leads Black Type Double For Flemensfirth

Tornado Flyer (6g Flemensfirth - Mucho Macabi, by Exceed And Excel) made it two from two over fences when capturing the Grade 3 Lairon Davis Novice Chase at Navan on Saturday.

The winner of the Grade 1 Champion Bumper at Punchestown last year, he won his hurdle debut that December and made a winning start to his chase career last month. Sent off favourite under Danny Mullins, he raced in second for much of the extended two mile contest and was ridden to lead from the final fence. Ridden out, he won by four lengths, as the field finished strung out behind him.

Danny Mullins was full of praise for his mount after the race and said, “He was always going to be a class horse. He's improving all the time and has got an engine, which is the main thing.”

Owned by the TFP Partnership, Tornado Flyer was bred by Sweetmans Bloodstock out of a half-sister to the brilliant Hurricane Fly. His foal full-sister sold for €88,000 at Tattersalls Ireland last month, while another sister by Fame And Glory sold to Tom Malone and Paul Nicholls for €175,000 earlier in the year.

Meanwhile, at Sandown, Mack The Man (5g Flemensfirth - Nifty Nuala, by Saddlers’ Hall) produced a career-best performance to win the Listed Handicap Hurdle for the in-form Evan Williams stable.

Successful on his seasonal return last month, the bay was once again ridden by Adam Wedge and was held up in midfield. Improving to chase the leaders from three out, he led before the final flight and was ridden out to score by a length and three quarters.

Owned by Mr and Mrs William Rucker, Mack The Man was bought by his trainer as a store for €46,000. Bred by Mark Grace, he is the first foal out of the mare, an own-sister to Grade 1 winner Mick The Man.