DYLAN Browne McMonagle maintained his momentum at the head of the flat jockeys’ title race by posting a double in Navan on Thursday. First up was Noli Timere who justified 11/5 favouritism in the Curragh To Curragh Cycle On This Saturday Handicap.
Michael O’Callaghan’s filly is clearly in a good place after winning a fillies’ maiden in Naas at the start of the month before readily taking to handicap company here.
She led early but was headed after a couple of furlongs and remained in a tracking position. Browne McMonagle sent her on racing to the final furlong and she kept up the gallop to come in by two and a half lengths for Eleanora Kennedy.
O’Callaghan said: “We will probably have a shot at blacktype before the end of the year, because a lot can happen over a winter. That ground is key to her. A Starspangledbanner filly and she just loves to get her toe in.”
Hurdling on the horizon
Ray Cody’s Enziya doubled his career total in the Kilberry Handicap over a mile and six furlongs.
Browne McMonagle settled the 7/2 favourite in mid-division and took closer order halfway. They moved into contention three furlongs out and grabbed the lead with a furlong to go.
The Night Of Thunder gelding stayed on nicely to post a length-and-a-half success for Ballygallon Stud (Ireland) Limited.
“They didn’t go hard today and that is probably the best he ever travelled. He was just in his comfort zone the whole way,” Cody said.
“I think he will make a very good three-year-old hurdler. He’s a lazy horse, but he’s honest and he has ability. I’d say that is where he will go next, if he is not sold.”
Little Queenie and Robert Whearty were game winners of the Navan Racing Festival Early Bird Tickets On Sale Now Handicap.
The grey mare was close up throughout and moved to the front with a furlong to travel. She was pressed in the closing stages by Nezeeh, but found more under pressure to win by half a length at 15/2 for owner Michael J Connolly.
Trainer Paul Flynn said: “The 3lb (claim) and the stand side helped I think, I think the ground is quicker there. There’s one here over five furlongs next week, but she could go to Dundalk as well for something.
“The lads would love to try a blacktype - if we do, it will be a listed in Dundalk just to try and get something. Have a go in Dundalk once and she will probably go in foal next year.”
JOHNNY Murtagh’s Nakamura (4/1 favourite) reaped the benefit of his experience when delivering over an extended five furlongs in the Navan Racecourse Nursery Handicap.
This was the Kodi Bear juvenile’s sixth outing with best finishes of third places at this track, Roscommon and Galway.
He raced to the fore under Ben Coen, but faced a stern challenge from Monte Vista a furlong and a half down. Nakamura pulled out more in the final furlong to go on by two lengths for Brunabonne Syndicate.
The jockey said: “I’d say he ran into an improver of Joseph’s (O’Brien, Which Wolf Wins) the last day (Galway). Little bit of juice in the ground, and he did things nicely, and the blinkers helped him sharpen up as well.”
Rerouted
Colin Keane, who was supposed to be riding in Ffos Las but was re-routed to Navan after transport difficulties, came in for a winning ride aboard Amiata in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
The 4/1 shot travelled well behind the leader Namiid and pounced in the final 150 yards to strike by a length and a quarter for W.P. Richards.
Ger Lyons said: “He’s a horse we’ve always liked. Ran well first time and I just thought it was a matter of turning up and doing that the second time, and he didn’t.
“Gelded him, brought him back for the Ballyhane race, and made a mistake and put blinkers on him the last time (in Cork) and he just did way too much for us.”
MY Corbett Court (7/1) put the seal on a special day for owners Anna and Declan Corbett when forging on strongly in the Irish EBF Optional Claiming Maiden.
He served it up to the leader Celestial Siren a furlong and a half out and took over entering the final furlong. There was no catching him after that as he opened up by three and a quarter lengths.
Paddy Twomey said: “They had a grandchild this morning and a winner in the afternoon! He’s a horse that has shown plenty of ability all year and just has done things a bit back to front.
“I thought coming out of his Down Royal run that we would progress and we took a backward step in Galway. He was a bit free and just didn’t really allow the race to happen. Today, he got a bit of cover and Donagh (O’Connor) gave him a very good ride.”
Third-placed Palace Tyne was claimed by Padraig Roche.
Finding Treasure
The 38-rated Share The Treasure sprang a 33/1 surprise in the Racing Next At Navan On Saturday September 6th Handicap over a mile and six furlongs.
The race developed into a battle in the closing stages between Share The Treasure and 5/2 favourite Arcland, and it was the former who rallied for Wesley Joyce to get up by a short head in the final strides for owner Robert Gill.
Trainer Tom Hogan said: “I wouldn’t keep her for that many runs if she didn’t show at home, she shows loads at home. She would work to a mark of about 80 and she would run to 40. He gave her a brilliant ride. If she gets her act together, she could win a few more.”