WILLIE and Danny Mullins teamed up for a treble in Navan with Doctor Steinberg the centrepiece in the Grade 2 Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Navan Novice Hurdle.
The five-year-old gelding made all and asserted before the last to come in by a more than comfortable four and three-quarter lengths at 3/1 for Jodmart Construction Ltd.
Jockey Mullins said: “He jumped well, went and galloped, and was very tough.
“Even going to the second-last, I was conscious of getting lower in the saddle and have him rolling up the hill. He put it to bed nicely from the back of the last.
“He’s a horse that keeps surprising us and stepping up which is a great trait.”
French-import Saint Baco (5/6 favourite) displayed plenty of ability on his Irish debut in the Mervyn Gray Construction Maiden Hurdle over two miles.
He was always close to the pace for Mullins and took over after the penultimate flight. He then cranked the pressure up on the pursuer Lazare De Star racing to the last.
The latter could make no impression as Saint Baco galloped on by just under four lengths for owner Michael Burke.
Jockey Mullins said: “No matter how ready they are, it takes a fair beast to come to Navan on winter ground like that and run out a nice winner.
“We are delighted with the performance and we knew he was a nice horse at home. To put it all together, that’s decent.”
Treble up
Predators Gold (11/2) rounded out the treble when making a winning debut over fences in the Watch Danny’s Diary @ToteRacing Beginners Chase.
He led and disputed with Slade Steel and outgunned that rival on the run-in by a length and a half for Gigginstown House Stud.
“That is a Willie Mullins masterpiece - nearly a year and a half off the track and he comes back to win a race like that, with Slade Steel and Wingmen (third) there.
“It is a fair beginners’ chase and we picked up down the straight.
“I was in a great rhythm on ‘Predator’ and he just kept jumping. If you are finding a rhythm and getting lengths in the air, it is always the thing - keep doing it.”
GORDON Elliott was also in treble-winning form and it was Road Exile (4/1) who got the ball rolling in a deep renewal of the Timeless Sash Windows Maiden Hurdle over two miles.
The Gigginstown House Stud representative was headed by Copacabana between the final two flights, but regained the lead approaching the last. Once he negotiated that obstacle for Jack Kennedy, he kept on best to fend off Copacabana by three-quarters of a length.
The trainer said: “The horse has a great attitude and is very honest. He stays going very well. To be honest, it was like a Grade 1 - there was no hiding place.”
Elliott and Kennedy were also on the mark with the patiently-ridden Down Memory Lane (7/2) in the Download The Tote App Foxrock Handicap Steeplechase.
Closer order
The seven-year-old gelding was held up by Kennedy and took closer order in fourth at the third-last fence.
He was on terms before the next and was strongest in the closing stages as he went on by a length and a half at 7/2 for J.P. McManus. Elliott said: “Jumped well, missed one, but Jack gave him a great ride. There is only one winning post and he (Kennedy) sat against him the whole way, so it was great. He’s a good horse on his day.”
Gamble landed
The Bective Stud-owned Gringo D’aubrelle scooped the Bective Stud, Tea Rooms & Apartments Handicap Hurdle by seven lengths in the hands of Michael Kenneally.
The nine-year-old gelding landed a gamble as he was backed down from 20/1 in the morning to an SP of 6/1. He was locked together with Koori Star before two out and went on racing to the last. He forged on strongly on this first crack at an extended three-miles-one-furlong.
Elliott said: “He’s a real three miler - he looked to go as quick as he could, but he stays very well. That will pay for him for the year now! He (Kenneally) rides out a morning a week with us. Off a light weight, it was a no-brainer to use him.”
COOLE Cafe drifted right out to 33/1, but it didn’t stop her putting her best foot forward in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Academy Hurdle.
The Kodi Bear filly was making her first start for Gavin Cromwell and made stealthy headway to collar Kilbarry Lizzy on the run-in. Conor Stone-Walsh guided her in by a length and a half for owner James Dunne.
Ground concern
Gavin Cromwell said: “I liked her but I was just concerned about the ground, I thought she might get stuck in the mud.
“He got her switched off and gave her a chance, and she picked up real well.
“She likes jumping. I just happened to look up, being by Kodi Bear, if he had many jumpers and he actually does get a few.”
Stout effort
Charismatic Kid (4/1) put himself in the shop window with a stout-galloping effort on debut in the Tote Always SP Or Better Flat Race over two miles.
Colm Ryan’s charge made all and powered clear a furlong out. He kept going and hit the line six and a half lengths clear for owners John Hayes, A.M Ryan and James Woods.
Jockey Ray Barron said: “He’s a big horse with a big engine. Very clear-winded, very straightforward and a good temperament. He’s one for the future, he’s as good a horse as I have sat on in a long time. I’d love to have him for the graded bumpers but I’d say he is due a change of colours after today!”
Charismatic Kid was due to be sold after racing at Cheltenham yesterday.