SNOW Falcon struck at Grade 2 level for the second time with a determined performance in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan.

Noel Meade's stayer was saddled with a 5lb penalty for his Boyne Hurdle success here earlier in the year but travelled strongly throughout.

A gap along the inside of leader De Plotting Shed closed between the final couple of obstacles and Sean Flanagan had to change course slightly, but Snow Falcon picked up again after the last to beat De Plotting Shed by three and a quarter lengths.

Shaneshill was a staying-on third. Jer's Girl was a non runner.

Meade said of the 5-1 winner: "It depends what turns up in the Hattons' Grace whether he'll run or not but we'll certainly leave it as an option now. I think he'll be better over three miles so we have the race at Christmas to look at and I might have a look and see what is in England as well.

"It's about the jumping. He jumped today, which is the first time he did. He's had a lot of trouble with his back and has all sorts of stuff done to it. Last year he had a little op on it and this year it's been perfect.

"He's a lot better this year. He was very unlucky in the November Handicap. Other than that, he's been running very well. He's won three times here, and the three times he's been stopped coming down the hill. He got a stress crack last year after he won here and that's why he didn't run for the rest of the season. He's still a young horse.

"The girl that looks after him, Emma (Connelly), certainly deserves a mention. He's like a little dog with her. She pulls him out in the morning and he trots up the yard alongside her. She says 'come on Snowy' and he stops, stands, whatever she wants. It's unbelievable, I've never seen anything like it.

"She's the same with any of her horses, but him in particular. Dare anyone say anything bad about him, you'd be in peril of your life!"

ONE-TWO

Labaik (11-4) led home a one-two for Gordon Elliott in the Grade 3 For Auction Novice Hurdle.

Favourite Le Martalin put the pace to the race but was in trouble when Mick Jazz loomed up at the last. After travelling well and hitting the front, Mick Jazz found less than expected, whereas his stablemate Labaik responded to all of Ruby Walsh's urgings and came from some way back to prevail by a length and three-quarters.

Elliott said: "He's a grand horse but is a bit of a monkey. Ruby said across the top he thought he was half not going anywhere, but he pulled him out at the back of the second-last and picked up and flew. Looking at that I'd say he'll get further and he's in the Royal Bond."

Arctic Skipper sprung a surprise with victory in Navan's TheTote.com Fortria Chase.

The Game Changer took the lead off Ballycasey at the third fence in the Grade 2 contest, and was still at the head of affairs and travelling well when making a mistake two out.

Arctic Skipper was the first to try to capitalise, with Ballycasey and Gilgamboa hot on his heels and things got tight, but Vincent Halley's 25-1 shot landed running over the last and kept up the momentum to deny Gilgamboa by a short-head. The win completed a double on the card for Sean Flanagan, who was also on board Lismullen Hurdle hero Snow Falcon.

"That's fantastic. Fair play to Nicky Kiely who rides him out at home, he's done great work with him," said Halley. "Andrew (Lynch) usually rides him and they've always had faith in the horse and said he would be a stronger horse this year.

"I'm delighted. It's great to get a big win like that. He's honest and Sean said he has loads of scope. We'll make a plan now after this. We would have been happy if he had been in the first three today. He's obviously improved from last season and it's fantastic."

READ THE FULL NAVAN REPORT IN NEXT WEEK'S EDITION OF THE IRISH FIELD