COLIN Keane retained his five-winner lead over Pat Smullen as the title rivals rode one apiece at Navan. Smullen struck first as The Broghie Man dominated the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

Having his first start since switching from Brendan Duke to Adrian Keatley, the Cityscape colt was also fitted with a visor and tongue-tie for the first time and was sent off at 5/2.

Smullen kicked clear inside the final quarter-mile and the result was never in doubt from that point as The Broghie Man strode seven lengths clear of It's All A Joke.

"I just fed him for a week and the only thing I did was stick a tongue-tie on him. In fairness to Brendan, he had a suspicion that he rattled a bit the last day," said Keatley.

"He handled the ground. The dam is by Dutch Art and I didn't mind dropping him back to five. I'd say his experience won the day.

"There might not be much left for him (this season) but we'll have a good look and see if we can find something."

Smullen looked likely to taste further success when going clear on Excelli in the Arkle Bar Handicap, but Keane wore him down on 9/1 chance Il Piccolo Grande, who triumphed by three and three-quarter lengths.

Trainer Ger Lyons said: "He works really well at home, and David Spratt has joked all summer that this lad will win when you don't expect.

"It's really down to the way Colin is riding and we had to get into the horse's head. You need to arrive late and wide, and don't give him any excuse to lie down.

"Colin is having seven or eight rides a day with Pat and it can only make him better, which is a testament to Pat Smullen. I'm ticking off each week he's in front, and if we can get him over the line it would be fantastic."

Keane now leads Smullen 92-87.

POPULAR VETERAN

Maarek rolled back the years to register his 14th career success in the Like Navan On Facebook Handicap over six furlongs.

The 2013 Prix de l'Abbaye winner may not be the force he was, but the 10-year-old showed he still retains plenty of ability as he swept down the centre of the course under Killian Hennessy to end a losing streak stretching back to August 2015.

Evanna McCutcheon's charge hit top gear a furlong from home and was soon in front. However, after putting the race to bed, Maarek (6/1) thought about pulling himself up but kept going to score by half a length from Kupa River.

"He's been running well all year, although I think the handicapper was hard on him the last day (raised 7lb). He's a tough old soldier and it's nice to get to the end of the year with a run like that," said McCutcheon. "It's just a matter of getting the ground and getting the right track."

"Killian gave him a great ride. Seamie (Heffernan) had confidence in him all year, but couldn't ride him the last day. Killian has been riding work and rode him like Seamie as he's a horse that you have to get inside his head.

"He buried me on Monday so he still has every bit of it, and will definitely be back next year."

CAPABLE

Synopsis hadn't shown much since leaving Lyons to join Gordon Elliott, but showed what she is capable of in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap.

The 12/1 chance struggled in three maiden hurdles last winter, as well as in a Bellewstown handicap on the level in July, but was back on song In beating Two For Tea by a length and a half.

Escamillo was in a different league to his rivals in the Navan Welcomes Owners (C & G) Median Auction Maiden.

Off since finishing down the field in the Leopardstown maiden won by Brother Bear in May, Joseph O'Brien's youngster has clearly improved during his time away.

The 5/1 chance made rapid headway from towards the rear to hit the front two furlongs out, and Donnacha O'Brien only had to nudge him out to dispose of Stoic Soul by eight lengths.

"We liked him early on in the year but he ran bad in Leopardstown. I thought we went on a bit early with him so we gave him time, and he's come back and won nicely," said the winning trainer.

"The ground (at Leopardstown) was very quick, it was six furlongs and turned out to be a very good race. We were disappointed on the day but it was lovely to see him do that today.

"I was a bit worried early as he was so green, but Donnacha pulled him out in the straight and he quickened up well. He's one to look forward to next year, and we could start him off anywhere with an ease in the ground in the spring.

"He should stay further as he's out of a Montjeu mare, and usually a two-year-old that gets a mile in Navan will get a bit further next year."

SHADOW OF THE POST

Nora Batt appeared to have the www.navanracecourse.ie Handicap in the bag when skipping clear a furlong and a half out, seemingly travelling strongly.

However, Killian Leonard went in pursuit on 9/2 joint-favourite Doonard Prince, who got his head in front in the shadow of the post.

Trainer Ross O'Sullivan said: "It's very hard to find those type of horses. Navan, Naas and the Curragh all suit him.

"The five today was a bit short but the heavy ground made it enough of a test. He was beaten in this race last year when going for three in a row.

"He's been a model of consistency. He got 4lb for finishing second the last day and was off 69 today, which is about his peak.

"That's his eighth race won. John (Bowden, owner) had three horses with me before him and couldn't get one to finish any closer than mid-division. Then this fella came along and he's been knocking great sport out of him for the last three or four years.

"He's eight but age doesn't seem to matter to those sprinters."

Noel Meade's Art Of Security has a bright jumping future and warmed up for a winter campaign with victory in the Come Racing Again Sunday 12th November Maiden as the 2/1 joint-favourite.

READ THE FULL NAVAN REPORT IN THIS WEEKEND'S EDITION OF THE IRISH FIELD