The well-related Davy Crockett made it three from three in his career with a commanding success in the Seamus Mulvaney Bookmaker Novice Hurdle at Listowel.

Trained by Willie Mullins for an ownership partnership that features both JP McManus and John Magnier, Davy Crockett, who is the son of Champion Hurdle heroine Annie Power, arrived at Listowel looking to follow up on a bumper and maiden hurdle success.

Despite being pitched into deeper company here, he was sent off a 4/9 chance to remain unbeaten in the hands of Paul Townend and although a slightly untidy leap at the final flight would have given punters a brief worry, Willie Mullins' charge never really looked like being beaten.

The winning margin was four lengths, with Arch Empire finishing off strongly to claim the former Ebor and Irish St Leger winner Sonnyboyliston for the runner-up spot.

"Sonnyboyliston brought some real class to the race," said Mullins on RTV. "Paul (Townend) wanted to settle him in, and I loved the way he jumped throughout the race.

"He was jumping out of Paul's hands and landing running. He was just doing too much with Paul and all stages but eventually he got him settled before taking a chance on getting a break up the inside.

"Paul said once the gap opened up, he just went through it. Obviously, going down to the last faster than he'd ever gone to a hurdle before he made a mistake at it. But he'll learn.

"Paul said he was just so fast on top of the hurdle but thankfully he didn't fall. I love his method of jumping. It's just so sharp for a horse having just his second run over hurdles.

"It's like a champion hurdler already. He's taking after his mother. He just never loses an inch in the air; he just bends his legs and gallops on the other side."

Paddy Power left the winner unchanged at 12/1 for the 2025 Champion Hurdle, with Mullins now keen to look at the Grade 1 Royal Bond.

He added: "The Royal Bond would look the obvious one (next step). Tipperary will come too soon in a couple of weeks time.

"Royal Bond at Christmas and then we'll see about the DRF or maybe we go down the Moscow Flyer route in Punchestown.

"At the moment, it's all there ahead of him but the real winter horses haven't come out yet, so we'll have to see how he handles winter ground. That will be different.

"I can see him having a career on the flat as well."