NEXT DESTINATION laid down a formidable and impressive marker for the coming months with his victory in the Grade 2 Navan Novice Hurdle suggesting that he will be more than a match for the best young jumpers around.

A month previously Samcro produced a standout effort over this course and distance and, in his absence, Next Destination served notice of his own stellar potential to give Willie Mullins a fifth win in the last seven runnings of the race.

Plans for the Malcolm Denmark-owned gelding will be decided in due course but a potential clash between him and Samcro at Naas early next month would surely be one of the races of the season.

Fresh from his impressive maiden hurdle victory at Naas, Next Destination was the 10/11 favourite to account for his four rivals which were headed by the promising Cracking Smart. The latter looked to be in trouble as the runners turned for home in this two and a half mile event and there was then momentary concern for the winner when he jumped the third last awkwardly.

However, he was quickly back on an even keel for David Mullins and he cruised by Poli Roi to take over the lead coming to the final flight. Next Destination quickened smartly on the run-in for a leisurely five and a half lengths triumph over a rallying Cracking Smart with Jetz taking third.

“I was amazed with how he picked up out of nowhere, you’d think he was nearly falling asleep. He missed two out and when I got after him to pick up and he found two or three gears,” said David Mullins. “He’s gone to the line well and won well and there’s more to come.”

ELLIOTT TREBLE

Although he had to settle for a minor role in the Grade 2, Gordon Elliott did reel off a treble which was headed by Diamond Cauchois, who outclassed his rivals in the Grade B Tara Handicap Hurdle. The six-year-old was a well-backed 6/4 chance for this €50,000 prize and his supporters never had a moment’s worry. He cruised through the race for Davy Russell and jumped immaculately before taking over in front after the second last. A good jump at the final flight sealed the outcome and he sauntered away to defeat Fine Rightly by eight lengths.

“He’s a nice horse. He had a good first run for us at Naas and he looked good there,” remarked Elliott who trains the gelding for Danny Charlesworth and Eamonn Evans. “He’ll win plenty of races for us and I’d say we might look at a Pertemps Qualifier over Christmas next.”

The Lisa O’Neill-ridden Rapid Escape provided the trainer with his final winner of the afternoon in the Listed Future Champions INH Flat Race. In previous seasons Elliott has won this race with the likes of Samcro, Death Duty and Don Cossack which is perhaps a telling pointer as to regard in which Raid Escape is held.

As he went in search of a third bumper success the Gigginstown-owned 2/5 favourite won with plenty to spare. For a period he relinquished the lead to the free-going One First Cut but he was back in front a quarter of a mile from home and then maintained a relentless gallop to defeat Lady Ischia by 11 lengths.

“He is a good horse. He’s done plenty for the season already but maybe we’ll look at one of the good bumpers in the spring – the good bumper at the new Dublin Racing Festival might be a race to consider,” observed the trainer.

Elliott and Gigginstown House Stud also struck with Blow By Blow in the three miles John Lynch Carpets Maiden Hurdle but the 1/3 favourite had to work much harder than his odds suggested. After a ponderous jump at the second last Jack Kennedy’s mount was struggling to get on terms with As You Were but he fought on bravely on the run in to subdue that rival, prevailing by a length and a half.

“I thought he’d win easier but at least he was in front where it mattered. This is his trip and we’ll try and keep him to three miles for the rest of the season. He’ll probably come into his own over fences next season,” declared Elliott.

FIRST RUNNER

Liz Doyle made her first runner for J.P. McManus a winning one as the talented Gran Geste (9/4) followed up his debut victory in a Thurles bumper by taking the Irish Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle. The Poliglote gelding did well to win as he looked to be coming off worst in the battle for victory from the second last. To his credit he responded very well to Barry Geraghty’s promptings to launch a strong charge after the final flight which enabled him to nail Cask Mate on the line.

“He was green when he won at Thurles and he was quite green up the straight again today so I think there’s plenty of improvement to come from him,” reflected the winning trainer. “He has a bit more to learn before he steps into novice races.”

Goose Man provided Tom Taaffe with his first winner for a year in the Marcie’s Pub Rated Novice Chase over two and a half miles. A patient Andrew Lynch had the Gold Well gelding stalking the leaders from some way out and the 5/1 chance pounced before the final fence en route to a four and a half lengths victory over Without Limites.

“He’s done that well for a five-year-old and he’s only a baby still,” remarked Taaffe who trains the gelding for Fitri Hay. “He’s a handicapper and he got a lovely ride from Andrew and I thought he jumped super too, he was sharper than he was at Wexford last time.”

The well backed Sizing Titanium, who was as big as 14/1 in the morning before returning a 5/1 chance, came good on his return to the track by landing the two miles handicap chase for Jim Dreaper and Robbie Power. The Alan and Ann Potts Limited-owned nine-year-old was off for 23 months before returning in a point-to-point last month and was clearly all the better for that outing. The Flemensfirth gelding came through to take charge of the race on the run to the last and he saw off Bilbo Baggins by a length.

“He’s a credit to the veterinary profession as he’s had pedal bone trouble for the last couple of years. I’m delighted with that and he’ll stay going on left handed tracks,” declared Dreaper.

ACTING STEWARDS

R. Dore, T. Hunt, P. Reynolds, Mrs V. Cooper, P.D. Matthews

Horse To Follow

CALL A CAB (P.A. Fahy): This gelding turned in a most encouraging effort on his debut, putting in some of his best work in the final half mile to take fifth in the maiden hurdle won by Gran Geste. He should progress nicely from this effort.