Tag Archive for: Navan

Eastern Legend is rare winner over jumps for Jim Bolger at Navan

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Veteran trainer Jim Bolger saddled his first winner under National Hunt rules since Annie Power won a bumper in August 2012 when Eastern Legend was successful at Navan.

Eastern Legend (1-2 favourite) had finished third to Romeo Coolio in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Christmas and was still going well enough when departing four from home at the Dublin Racing Festival in the race won by Kopek Des Bordes.

Down markedly in grade for the first division of the Mongey Communications Maiden Hurdle, he had little trouble in finally breaking his maiden under Keith Donoghue.

Bolger has had two seconds since Annie Power, who went on to win the Champion Hurdle for Willie Mullins, won a Wexford bumper.

Donoghue believes the four-and-a-half-length winner could be a likely type for the Galway Hurdle.

“He jumped well early on and even at the first two down the back, when I was on my own, he jumped them well but then at the fourth-last he missed it and he was a bit slow over the third-last,” said Donoghue.

“He was good at the last two in the straight and he’s well able to jump, sometimes he just lacks a bit of confidence.

“He had good form in Grade Ones and on his rating he was entitled to do that.”

He added: “Knowing Colm O’Rourke (GAA pundit), that’s my association there (with Bolger). I’d say if I didn’t win on him today Colm might have put me on the bench!

“I think he can keep going during the summer and I think on a bit of nicer ground he can improve.

“He could end up being a Galway Hurdle type of horse if his jumping shaped up to jump in a race like that and Galway came up on the better side.”

Senecia turns over El Fabiolo at Navan

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Senecia stunned odds-on favourite El Fabiolo with a 50-1 victory in the BoyleSports Webster Cup Chase at Navan.

All eyes were on four-times Grade One winner El Fabiolo in the Grade Two affair, with the Willie Mullins-trained runner having just his second start of the campaign having fallen on his belated return at Leopardstown last month.

Townend allowed El Fabiolo to warm to his task as Senecia set out to make all in the hands of Philip Enright, with the 4-11 market leader seemingly having plenty in reserve when taking closer order with five fences to jump.

However, Senecia was game for a battle and when the pair settled down to fight it out over the final two obstacles, Vincent Halley’s charge showed plenty of heart and fended off the challenge of El Fabiolo by a length and a quarter.

Owner Laurence Halley said: “Wonderful, wonderful! A brave horse and he’s a great jumper. He jumped as good as any of them in the Fortria (third in November).

“He has been highly tried and we thought the ground would find him out today, but he handled it.

“He was a €16,500 foal and we kept him as a Covid carry over (as he did not sell at the sales).

“Navan has been a lucky place for me, I won the Fortria with Arctic Skipper and Sean Flanagan (in 2016). We got home a short head from all the big boys again!

“I’d say it will be Fairyhouse next or Punchestown.”

While El Fabiolo’s run did not go to plan, the Mullins-trained Champ Kiely did follow the script in the Flyingbolt Novice Chase.

A Grade One novice hurdle winner, Champ Kiely was sidelined for 614 days before making a winning debut over fences at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day before coming home fourth behind stablemate Ballyburn when upped to the highest level at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Eased to Grade Three company for this contest, Champ Kiely always had the measure of second-placed giant Jeannot Lapin and the 30-100 favourite coasted home for an eight-length victory under Townend.

Champ Kiely still holds a Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase entry at the Cheltenham Festival but Mullins will be looking elsewhere with the nine-year-old.

He said: “He put in a good round of jumping and galloped to the line.

“Coming back to two miles wasn’t any harm to him, so I’m very pleased with him.

“He could go to the WillowWarm (Gold Cup) at Fairyhouse over two and a half miles. That might be a better option for him.”

Prince Palace (7-2) look Listed laurels in the Nas Na Riogh Novice Handicap Chase for trainer Pat Fahy and jockey Harry Sexton, seeing off Shantreusse by three lengths.

Fahy said: “He never won anything before, but he has been coming nicely. A few lovely runs and it worked out. We only get the odd old big one!

“A great ride. I was hoping that a top rider would come in, a young lad that would work. He doesn’t care what sort of work it takes to get going, he will work. He can ride into the bargain and is willing to listen.

“He is getting very cool and not panicking. He is keeping the whip down, and he is getting better and better.”

Better Days Ahead holds off stablemate Stellar Story at Navan

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Better Days Ahead saw off the late surge of stablemate Stellar Story to emerge triumphant in the William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Novice Chase at Navan.

Trainer Gordon Elliott saddled three runners in the Grade Two contest, with Better Days Ahead and Stellar Story joined by Three Card Brag.

The latter cut out much of the running in the three-mile event, but made one or two errors in the jumping department and 1-2 favourite Better Days Ahead took over early in the home straight.

Stellar Story, who was also far from fluent over his obstacles, was coaxed into contention by Danny Gilligan and was produced with his challenge on the run-in.

But try as he might, Stellar Story could not reel in Better Days Ahead, with a neck separating the pair at the line. Three Card Brag rounded off an Elliott one-two-three.

Coral left the winner’s odds for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival unchanged at 10-1, with Stellar Story trimmed to 16-1 from 33-1 for the same race.

Both horses were victorious at last year’s Festival, with Better Days Ahead landing the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle and Stellar Story claiming the Albert Bartlett.

Better Days Ahead with connections after winning at Navan
Better Days Ahead with connections after winning at Navan (Brian Lawless/PA)

Elliott said: “Better Days Ahead wasn’t doing a stroke in front. It wasn’t ideal, he needs something to make it. Jordan (Gainford on Three Card Brag) took him along for as long as he could and probably ran a good race in his own right, Jordan’s lad.

“I was thrilled with Stellar Story. He keeps guessing at his fences and I told Danny (Gilligan) to try and get him around and try to get a bit of confidence into him. He gave him a brilliant ride – probably a bit unlucky. Number one, we had to try and get him around.

“I’d imagine it will be the Brown Advisory for Better Days Ahead and Stellar Story could go Brown Advisory as well.

“Three Card Brag needed that run to qualify for the Aintree Grand National.”

Maxxum finds more from the front for Boyne Hurdle success

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Maxxum knuckled down to provide trainer Gordon Elliott with a fifth victory in the William Hill Top Price Guarantee Boyne Hurdle at Navan.

The eight-year-old had failed to trouble the judge in four previous starts this season, most recently having his stamina limitations exposed over an extended three miles in the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park less than three weeks ago.

Stepping back in trip for this two-mile-six-furlong Grade Two, 4-1 shot Maxxum was sent straight to the lead by Danny Gilligan and while he was strongly challenged by 15-8 favourite Thedevilscoachman approaching the final flight, Gilligan’s mount kicked four lengths clear on the run-in.

Thedevilscoachman, winner of the 2022 Boyne Hurdle, finished a clear second ahead of Maxxum’s stablemate Farren Glory in third.

“He had a good run in Gowran the last day over three miles, probably didn’t get home,” said Elliott, whose four previous winners of this race include dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll.

“We thought coming back to that trip today, if he got a soft enough lead, it would work well.

“Danny gave him a very clever ride and it was great.

“He did (battle well) – he picked up well, but he got a breather at the right time.”

Maxxum is likely to be on Elliott’s squad for next month’s Cheltenham Festival, with the trainer adding: “We will probably go Coral Cup now, I’d say.”

Tareze puts herself in Cheltenham picture with Navan victory

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Tareze may have earned herself a place on Henry de Bromhead’s Cheltenham Festival team sheet with an impressive victory in the Ryan’s Cleaning Apple’s Jade Mares Novice Hurdle at Navan.

A runaway winner at Clonmel in October, the six-year-old was last seen finishing second to the Willie Mullins-trained Hey Sunshine in a Listed event at Punchestown.

Tareze was a 15-8 shot for another Listed assignment in County Meath and after travelling strongly in the hands of Darragh O’Keeffe, she powered clear on the run-in to score by eight lengths from Blue Mosque, with 7-4 favourite Just For Love back in third.

“She’s improving all the time,” said de Bromhead’s representative Robbie Power.

“She’s a fine, big mare and I thought that was a very good performance. She travelled very sweetly behind the pace and, when Darragh gave her a squeeze, she picked up well.

“She jumped super – she is a very, very good jumper.

“She could go to Cheltenham or Fairyhouse, but I think Sally (Rowley-Williams, owner) would be quite keen to go to Cheltenham (Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle). She’s probably entitled to go after that.”

Honesty Policy and Sam Ewing after winning at Navan
Honesty Policy and Sam Ewing after winning at Navan (Brian Lawless/PA)

Honesty Policy opened his account for Gordon Elliott in the Navan Ford & Opel Maiden Hurdle.

Second in a point-to-point and on his hurdling debut at Naas last month, the five-year-old was a 6-4 favourite to go one better and picked up well to score by eight lengths under Sam Ewing.

“He’s a nice horse. The further he goes, I’d say the better he will be,” said Elliott.

“He had a good run the last day in Naas and he followed up there today.

“We have no real plan, but I’d imagine he is going in the right direction. He will be a nice chaser down the road.”

The Willie Mullins-trained Copacabana entered the Champion Bumper reckoning after making a successful start to his career in the William Hill Keep Your Raceday Positive (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.

A 9-4 favourite in the hands of Patrick Mullins, the son of Blue Bresil moved through the race strongly and was powerful at the finish as he passed the post with five lengths in hand.

Bet365 make Copacabana a 10-1 shot in their non-runner no bet market for the Champion Bumper, a race his trainer has won on a record 13 occasions.

Willie Mullins said: “I think we’ll have to buy the ticket now! He’s a lovely, big, chasing type and I was looking forward to bringing him up here on this track. I thought he would show himself off well and he did.

“There was so much talk about so many horses before the race. It looked a very deep race and I’m very pleased for his owners. It looks like we will have to book a ticket for them for March.

“He is a big unit and it has taken me plenty of time to get him right. Every time we asked him a question, he gave the right answers. We were getting very tight to qualifying for Cheltenham. He just answered that question nicely.

“He loved that type of ground. With his size and everything, I wouldn’t like to campaign him on good ground for a while yet. He looks a horse that would need a nice dig in it.”

Indo returns to hurdles at Navan as Grand National preparation gathers pace

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Minella Indo will return to hurdles for the first time since 2019 as he continues his Grand National preparations at Navan on Sunday.

Now a 12-year-old, Minella Indo was a force in the novice staying hurdle division six years ago, winning Grade Ones at both the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals before going on to a sterling career over regulation fences.

Winner of the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup, Minella Indo has claimed victory just twice since, but he appeared reinvigorated by a switch to cross country fences and then the distinctive Grand National obstacles, finishing third behind I Am Maximus under a chunky weight.

Aintree remains the target for Henry de Bromhead’s charge and he will take in the William Hill Top Price Guarantee Boyne Hurdle at Navan en route.

The trainer said: “He’s aiming for the Grand National and this might be a nice day out for him. He’s in good form.

“I think we’ll miss Cheltenham (Glenfarclas Chase) now it’s a handicap. It’s limited in fairness to them, but it’s quite close to Aintree this year and we’ve just said we’re going to focus on the National.

“I know the National is a handicap, but it’s obviously a different beast to the cross-country.”

Minella Indo is one of seven Boyne Hurdle contenders along with Farren Glory, Busselton, Maxxum, Meet And Greet, Thedevilscoachman and Riviere d’Etel.

De Bromhead also unveils an intriguing new recruit as Salt Bay lines up in the Navan Ford And Opel Maiden Hurdle.

The five-year-old was Group One placed on the Flat for Ralph Beckett and is as low as 20-1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, although De Bromhead says that engagement is “a long way”.

He said: “It was great to get him and he’s been schooling well. Robbie (Power) had him for a month and got him jumping really well and enjoying it.

“We’ll see, it’s a long way for the Supreme Novices’, but it was easier to have him in than not.

“He seems nice and we’ve all seen him on the Flat – he’s a high-class horse. He jumps well at home, but obviously we have to tack all that together now and see where we end up.”

Gate open for return to Cheltenham after Navan success

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James’s Gate could have another Cheltenham Festival trip on his agenda after he overcame a final hurdle mistake to claim an eyecatching victory at Navan.

Third in the Champion Bumper at Prestbury Park back in 2022, he was off the track for the best part of two years before having two novice hurdle runs last term, notably finishing third to Mystical Power in the Moscow Flyer.

He returned from another 331-day absence with victory at Punchestown before Christmas and was sent off a 3-1 chance for the Race Displays Rated Novice Hurdle.

The eight-year-old travelled well throughout for jockey Mark Walsh and it looked a matter of how far as he approached the last flight, but while he jumped the obstacle cleanly, his landing was awkward and he lost all momentum.

That allowed C’est Ta Chance to take the lead but once Walsh had James’s Gate back on an even keel, he rallied on the run to the line to win by three-quarters of a length.

Trainer Martin Brassil will consider the Coral Cup at Cheltenham, for which James’s Gate is now a 12-1 shot with Paddy Power, although the novice heats are not completely ruled out.

He said: “He seemed to jump the hurdle perfectly but landed on his hind ones first, awkwardly.

“He jumped really well, it was the only hurdle that was any bit of a blip. We are very pleased with him.

“He’s a good traveller. He was a classy horse in his bumpers – third in a Cheltenham bumper and that was only his second run. He’s a horse with a bit of class.

“We might enter him for probably a Coral Cup or maybe even one of the novice races, we’ll see how he is.”

Gordon Elliott has high hopes for Three Card Brag after he broke his duck over fences at the fifth time of asking in the QuinnBet Beginners Chase.

Out of luck in his initial novice season, Three Card Brag finally enjoyed his day in the sun as the 3-1 shot came home nearly three lengths clear of Kinturk Kalanisi under Danny Gilligan as part of a four-timer for the trainer.

Three Card Brag was cut to 14-1 for the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival but Elliott is favouring a staying route, although prospective Randox Grand National hopes are required to have run six times over fences.

He said: “I’m very happy with him. He’s a good horse on his day. He’s had a few niggly problems and just a few things didn’t work out for him.

“I imagine we will probably head straight on for an English National. I’m not saying he won’t (have a run before), but I won’t kill him – I might go there fresh.

“He’s a good, staying horse and he’s always a good jumper.

“It is grand he put his head in front today. He had every chance to fold the whole way up the line and he galloped the whole way.”

Music Of Tara (12-1) also has a British target in her sights after winning the Navan Handicap Hurdle for Elliott and jockey Sam Ewing.

Previously trained by Henry de Bromhead, Music Of Tara made a perfect start for her new team as she swept past Blaze The Way and favourite Thecompanysergeant to win by a length and a quarter.

Music Of Tara’s last five starts had come over fences and Elliott is planning a return to the larger obstacles in Huntingdon’s Lady Protectress Mares’ Chase on February 6.

He said: “John Flood from Boardsmill Stud would be a very good friend of mine. He bought her to breed from. He said he would give her a chance and see how she goes.

“She will mix chasing and hurdling.

“There is a race in England in three weeks’ time at Huntingdon that we are going to go for – a mares’ Listed chase.”

Jacob’s Ladder (6-1) had initiated Elliott’s four-timer and Ewing’s double when edging out Forty Coats in the NavanRacecourse.ie Maiden Hurdle, while Spinningayarn (100-30) was the trainer’s final winner of the day in the Racing Again February 9th (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.

Kalypso cements Champion Bumper claims at Navan

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Gordon Elliott’s Kalypso’chance impressed with a neat victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Future Champions INH Flat Race at Navan.

He had won his sole point-to-point start by 13 lengths in April before changing hands and is now owned by Gigginstown House Stud, who ran two in the race.

Ridden by Patrick Mullins as the 5-4 favourite, the four-year-old travelled well throughout and took up the lead a furlong from home to score by four and a half lengths from John McConnell’s Heads Up, with a further two and a half lengths back to stablemate Classical Creek.

“I’d say he’s a smart horse, he’s a good horse,” said Elliott of the gelding, who is now 7-1 from 8-1 for the Champion Bumper with Paddy Power.

“Patrick said he’s a fair horse. We’ll probably end up going to Leopardstown all being well.

“He quickened really well, it was a nice race and I was happy with him.”

The likes of Samcro, Envoi Allen and Sir Gerhard are previous winners of the contest.

Gavin Cromwell enjoyed a successful afternoon with Midnight It Is and Individualiste providing a double on the card.

The former lined up for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Chase under Sean Flanagan, starting at 10-1 when returning to action after a lengthy absence having last been seen in January.

His time away from the track was no hindrance as he went on to score by a length and a half, with a step up grade now possibly around the corner.

“Obviously he hadn’t run for a long time but he runs well fresh,” said Cromwell.

“We’ve been waiting a long time for the ground for him. He’s been ready for quite a while and we were anxious to get him out.

“He won well and we might have a look at the Dan Moore. Hopefully we’re up to that grade.”

The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Chase was then won by the same trainer with 10-11 favourite Individualiste, ridden by Keith Donoghue when stepping down in trip after a staying success at Thurles last time out.

“He had to battle, I was definitely a little bit worried for a while,” Cromwell said of the victory.

“He got the jump at the last and he was gutsy enough. A Wave Of The Sea (runner-up) is a classy horse on his day.

“We’ll see where we go from here. He travelled quite well there so we could potentially come back in trip a bit.”

Charles Byrnes’ Brave Troop continued in good form to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle.

The five-year-old switched to the stable ahead of the season and got off to a winning start when landing a Thurles handicap last month.

He was the 13-8 favourite under James Smith this time, and was a comfortable four-length victor.

“We’re delighted. He settled much better today so he was able to ride him that bit closer and he picked up nicely,” said Byrnes.

“He jumped better today as well. He’s jumping better and settling better and I think that’s why he has improved.

“There might be something in Leopardstown for him. He might creep into the bottom of the two-miler there. Two miles on decent ground is important.

“He wouldn’t want it any softer. It’s dead enough there but he handled it fine.”

Glen Kiln took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle over two and a half miles for owner and trainer Michael Bowe, a comfortable six-length success under Brian Hayes at 9-2.

The trainer’s brother John said afterwards: “He’s a very nice horse, he’s only five.

“He schooled last week over fences in Limerick junction and we were going to go for a beginners’ chase but the ground was nicer here, he wants soft ground.

“Two and a half miles and the track, all the conditions were right for him. We love him, he’s a horse for the future.

“He’s from Sweet Kiln and Limestone Lad’s family. We had great luck with them around this track years ago so it’s great to be back here. We haven’t had a winner in Navan for many years.

“We’ll see what the handicapper does now. Fences is definitely his future and he jumped particularly well last week schooling.”

Elsewhere on the card, Blaze The Way took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle at 16-1 for Margaret and Danny Mullins, while Verdant Place took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Chase as the 3-1 favourite for Simon Torrens and Patrick Foley.

Ile Atlantique makes seamless transition to fences

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Ile Atlantique made a perfect start to his chasing career when landing the QuinnBet Beginners Chase at Navan.

Willie Mullins’ six-year-old was placed at Grade One level over hurdles and was graduating to the larger obstacles under Paul Townend in a field of 18.

The gelding was the 5-4 favourite to land an informative race over a trip just in excess of two and a half miles, with Good Land, Mahon’s Way, No Flies On Him and Waterford Whispers among his rivals.

He was well able to deal with them all, however, and made a real impression with an educational round of jumping that led to a nine-length triumph from Waterford Whispers with the returning Good Land running a promising race in third after missing the whole of last season.

“I just let him learn today on it, he had to figure it out a bit himself,” said Townend.

“We could have gone out and winged everything, but he would learn more if he could do it himself.

“He rides a stronger horse this year. There were question marks of him seeing out his races before, but I think he has just needed all the time. A fence will help him with that as well, and maturity.

“He’s fast from one side to the other. Hopefully, he is going to have a good novice chase season.

“I like him a lot – I loved him last year and he didn’t fulfil what I thought he was going to do. I just think sitting on him, he’s so big this year, and he has taken this much time.”

The Yellow Clay leaves it late in Navan feature

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Odds-on favourite The Yellow Clay snatched victory in the final strides of the Tote Navan Novice Hurdle.

Gordon Elliott’s five-year-old was second in the Grade One bumper at Punchestown at the end of last season and has made a superb start to his hurdling career so far.

After winning on debut by nine lengths in November he then won the Grade Three Monksfield Novice Hurdle by 10 lengths at Navan.

Returning to the same course and distance, this time at Grade Two level, the gelding was the 4-11 favourite under Sam Ewing.

He looked booked for second place, however, as Fleur In The Park led in the home straight but he would not stop battling and just managed to edge ahead close home to win by a neck.

“He had his head in front at the right time which is always a good sign in a horse,” said Elliott.

“I’d say the second horse (Fleur In The Park) got a good ride, he got the fractions right and he kicked at the right time. He nearly caught us out.

“I told Sam not to be in front too soon, he rode our horse to instructions.

“He is winning, so that is all that matters. He’s learning how to race.”

Owner Noel Moran added: “To be honest, I thought we were in trouble after the last.

“It was a good, battling performance.”

Jasmin De Vaux gets off the mark over hurdles

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Jasmin De Vaux got his hurdling career under way with victory in the Headfort Arms Hotel Maiden Hurdle at Navan.

Willie Mullins’ five-year-old won the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival last season and was the prohibitive 1-3 favourite to oblige under Paul Townend.

His jumping was not without error as he made his way around the two-mile trip but he was resolute in holding off The Enabler, who travelled very strongly, to win by four and a half lengths.

“The engine is there, but the jumping needs working on,” said Townend.

“He’ll get confidence – a bit more practice is what he needs.

“As I say the engine is in there. It is a lot harder to put an engine in one than teach him to jump.”

Magic Boum also made a winning debut under rules for Gordon Elliott in the Mervyn Gray Construction Maiden Hurdle.

The four-year-old won her sole point-to-point start in February and was a 10-1 shot under Sam Ewing, though her chances improved greatly when Mullins’ 1-3 favourite, Kaid D’authie, fell early on.

Magic Boum went on to score by three-quarters of a length, with the trainer saying: “That was a bit of a surprise.

“I thought she would run a nice race there and maybe go back for a bumper but, with the favourite (Kaid D’authie) falling, the race was there.

“Being in front so long probably didn’t suit her. After the mistake at the last, she was tough, it was great she won.”

Division two of the same race then went to Colm Murphy’s Goraibhmaithagat, who was a successful by two lengths under Simon Torrens having started at 16-1.

He was another making his debut under rules with a point-to-point win already on his CV, and is owned by JP McManus having been bred by his wife Noreen.

Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus, said: “He did his job nicely in the point-to-point last year and we came here hoping he would run a nice race, and improve for the run.

“He did it nicely and jumped well and everything – delighted with him.

“They mightn’t have gone mad in the race, but you’d like the way he picked them up and stayed on.

“A fine, big, nice horse. It is a grand start for him.”

It was a successful afternoon for Ewing and Elliott at Navan as the rider took three of the eight races across the card, with Magic Boum, The Yellow Clay and Sa Fureur (9-4 favourite) obliging, with Elliott training all three plus He Can’t Dance (2-9 favourite) to win the concluding bumper under Harry Swan.

Better Days Ahead too sharp for Slade Steel at Navan

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Better Days Ahead came out on top from Slade Steel in what is likely to prove an informative Race And Stay Irish EBF Beginners Chase at Navan.

Both were winners at the Cheltenham Festival in March – Better Days Ahead in the Martin Pipe and Slade Steel in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – and both were making their debut over the larger obstacles.

It was Better Days Ahead (2-1) who set out to make it in the hands of Jack Kennedy and Slade Steel was never able to really get to him.

Gordon Elliott’s six-year-old finished last season with third place in Grade One company, as had Slade Steel, and started this campaign in perfect fashion, triumphing by four lengths from Henry de Bromhead’s charge, who was sent off the 1-2 favourite.

Elliott said: “We bought him off Warren Ewing a couple of years ago and bought him to be a big chaser. He looks like a chaser.

“It has been a slow burner to where we are getting with these horses. Noel and Valerie (Moran, Bective Stud) are massive supporters of Cullentra and they have invested a lot of money in racing. They are getting their dividends now.

“It takes time to get where we are and to get winners for them in Navan, their local track, is like a dream come true. I’m absolutely delighted for them and this is a special weekend.

“Obviously, he is entered in the Drinmore – that might just come a bit too soon. We will look at something probably around Christmas.

“He is a Martin Pipe winner and it is a race that good horses come out of.”

Noel Moran said: “He was our first Cheltenham (Festival) winner.

“He did it very well today now, his jumping was very good apart from the first couple.

“It is always great to have a local winner here, so we have had a fantastic weekend and can’t complain.”

Stuzzikini makes it magnificent seven Troytown triumphs for Elliott

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A gamble on American Mike went awry at Navan, but Gordon Elliott still recorded a seventh victory in the Bar One Racing Troytown Handicap Chase courtesy of Stuzzikini.

As usual the Cullentra handler was strongly represented, with nine of the 18-strong line-up facing the starter.

Jack Kennedy had nailed his colours to American Mike’s mast some time ago, however, and when he jumped to the front four out, his judgement seemed likely to prove spot on. But his effort proved disappointing almost straight after that and he eventually dropped away.

Gavin Brouder – standing in for the sidelined Danny Gilligan – and Stuzzikini (20-1), meanwhile, powered over the last and stormed away from Lucid Dreams and Yeah Man to win by four lengths and 15 lengths.

Elliott said: “Brilliant! I tipped him up yesterday on television and I said he had a chance.

“I just thought he was a horse that leaves a bit for himself, he is a bit of a monkey. I thought he could have a couple of pounds up his sleeve. Gavin gave him a great ride. Danny was unfortunate, he got a fall.

“In fairness to him (Brouder), I’d say he has won on most of the horses he rides, so we will just keep him riding in the big chases!

“To win seven Troytowns is unbelievable.”

A thrilled Brouder said: “It’s very unfortunate for Danny, hopefully he gets back soon enough.

“I couldn’t believe how well I was going after the back of the last to the line, I had a big smile on my face!”

Francis Foran, who owns the winner along with VCS Versatile Coating Specialist Ltd, added: “First horse and it is magical! What a day, I nearly fell coming out of the stands! The dream has come true.”

The Yellow Clay proves much too strong for Monksfield rivals

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The Yellow Clay bolstered his reputation with a smart success in the John Lynch Carpets & Flooring Monksfield Novice Hurdle at Navan.

Sixth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in March, the five-year-old made a seamless transition to obstacles at Down Royal last month and was all the rage at odds of 8-11 to follow up in Grade Three company at trainer Gordon Elliott’s local track.

Where’s My Jet and Paul Townend led the field for a long way, tracked by The Yellow Clay and Fleur In The Park as they started to get towards the business end of the two-and-a-half-mile contest.

It looked like Fleur In The Park might just be going best two out, but Jack Kennedy clearly had plenty of horse underneath him as The Yellow Clay surged clear approaching the last and went right away to beat Where’s My Jet by 10 lengths.

Elliott said: “He’s a nice horse and has always done everything well at home.

“I loved the way when he made the mistake at the second-last, he (Kennedy) squeezed him and he let him back on to the bridle.

“I’d say he is a nice horse. I thought it was a good performance, he quickened off them. He has a great attitude and a great way of racing, he is so laid-back.”

On what would be next for the Noel and Valerie Moran-owned winner, Elliott pointed towards a Grade One target: “You’d imagine we would go to the Lawlor’s (of Naas).”

Hogan weaves the old magic to win with Cast A Spell

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Veteran trainer Tom Hogan was delighted to be back in the winner’s enclosure at Navan after Cast A Spell ran down the odds-on Qualimita under 5lb claimer Cian Quirke to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.

A maiden winner on the Flat in Killarney in October, Hogan’s six-year-old, who was sent off at 12-1, was last seen finishing third in a Listed event over obstacles at Cork.

Hogan – who will always be associated with multiple Group One-winning sprinter Gordon Lord Byron – said: “It took a long time to get into her act jumping. She got brought down one day schooling in Thurles and she didn’t forget it for a long time.

“The last day she ran in Cork, she was actually heavily in season when she got her black type, and we didn’t know until afterwards.

“We knew that she was a lot better mare than ran in Cork. She was faultless there today and she has the talent.

“She always runs with the handbrake a bit half-on, so there is a lot more there than she gives. I found those type of horses will always win plenty of races. She might not win every day, but she will win more nice races.”

He added: “It is great to win, as I only have a couple of horses. It is great to get a race like this, in a place like this, at a festival like this. We will keep an eye on other festivals.”

Total Look shaped as a useful prospect in winning the Bar One Racing “Price Boosts Across All Channels” 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle.

The highest-rated runner on the Flat of the 11 starters, the Gavin Cromwell-trained three-year-old travelled nicely for Keith Donoghue as Star Runner made it in front and moved stylishly to the lead running towards the final flight.

Beyond Your Dreams markedly reduced the 11-4 favourite’s advantage close home, but Total Look was a solid half-length to the good.

Cromwell said: “We bought him as a yearling to go juvenile hurdling in the long-term, so everything is after working out to plan – it doesn’t often happen like that!

“He’s a lovely horse going forward – he has plenty of size and scope and should keep improving. A very athletic type of horse.

“He is (ground versatile), but I’d say that is beautiful ground for him and he will handle softer ground as well.

“Still a very immature horse, but that leaves you plenty of improvement.

“I don’t really have many juveniles to run. Obviously, Hello Neighbour is an exciting one as well.

“I’d say it (Fairyhouse) is probably too soon, but I wouldn’t rule anything out.”