NAVAN’S eight-race card produced doubles all round as trainers Robson de Aguiar and Ger Lyons, and jockeys Colin Keane and Sam Coen all enjoyed multiple victories.
With champion jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle ruled out of action after a fall in Bellewstown earlier in the week, Billy Lee came in for the ride on de Aguiar’s Supreme Lord (11/8 favourite) in the nursery over the extended five furlongs.
The Amo Racing-owned colt disputed the lead with Howlin Wolf and led definitively at halfway. Lee asked him for more two furlongs down and the son of Starman found generously in the final furlong to open up by three and three-quarter lengths.
The trainer said: “Billy thought he had a lot in the tank, and he said he could go seven furlongs.
“There’s plenty of power in that horse. I think when he starts to learn in races he could turn into a real nice horse.”
Lordan steps in
Wayne Lordan substituted for Browne McMonagle on Atlantic Bridge for de Aguiar in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden over the minimum trip.
He was strong in the market, being backed from 5/4 to 8/11 favourite, and tracked the leader Southern Boulevard in second. He travelled well to lead a furlong and a half out and strode away to win by just under three lengths for owner John Kirkland.
De Aguiar said: “He has put his head in front, and I think he is going to improve again. He is getting more mature and stronger.
“On Champions Weekend, there is a sales race for him (Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sales Stakes, Curragh) and I think that is what we will go for.”
Wesley wins
Wesley Joyce got Nephin Mountain rolling in Division 1 of the Curragh To Curragh Charity Cycle This Saturday Handicap over the extended mile.
He worked the three-year-old gelding to the front on the approach to the final furlong and Nephin Mountain (11/1) really found his stride to come in by half a length from Alto Sax who led home the closers.
Owner/trainer Michael Mulvany said: “We came here and it wasn’t an ideal distance, I’d say he is probably and a mile and two horse.
“It was great when the race was divided and we let him take his chance. We knew he would stay.”
Closest finish
Division 2 saw the closest finish of the day as 3/1 favourite Avec Grand Plaisir pipped Sheamus Seimhiu by a nose.
Ronan Whelan’s mount made eye-catching progress into third a furlong down and soon grabbed the lead. He was strongly pressed close home by Sheamus Seimhiu but clung on by the narrowest margin.
Jarlath Fahey said: “He’s a lovely horse, but he’s not the horse yet that he is going to be. He does need a bit more time.
“Every winner is important nowadays for us and for Ronan. His mother (Kathleen Whelan) owns it, so it is always good to keep it in the family.”
Amiata learning on the job
AMIATA (4/1) delivered a fine weight-carrying performance in the extended five-furlong handicap for Ger Lyons and Colin Keane.
The top-weight raced in rear and made headway in the final quarter of a mile. Keane then drove him to the front at the furlong pole, and he kept on best to fend off By The Lake by a head for owner Philip Richards.
Lyons said: “Obviously, he will go Champions Weekend now because it is the obvious race, but he’s not good enough at three for that sort of competition. We were always training him to be that sort of horse for his owner at four and five.
“You can see him physically growing. He’s not ready for the ‘big-time’ yet.
“If he didn’t go Champions Weekend, there’s a 100 (grand) race back here and he would probably go there.”
Another close finish in the Irish EBF Optional Claiming Maiden went the way of Lyons and Keane as This That (9/2) shaded 2/5 favourite Leadlight by a short -head.
Locked in a battle
The horses were locked in a battle throughout the final furlong, and it was This That who got the verdict from the judge on this step up in trip to an extended mile for owners David Spratt and Sean Jones.
Lyons said: “Delighted, but I don’t agree with optional claimers. Would he have been in the claimer if he was to be claimed? No, he wouldn’t.
“The rules allowed me in today, so I took a punt because the maidens are so hot.
“We found his trip and I don’t think the handicapper has missed him.”
SUNRUSH (8/1) was another horse trying a longer trip and it worked out well for him in the Gain The Advantage Series Handicap over a mile and six furlongs.
Sam Coen settled him close to the pace and the pair took over with two furlongs to travel. The Teofilo gelding stayed on well in the final furlong to take the honours by two lengths for owner Pat Garvey.
Trainer Andy Slattery said: “We were a bit worried about that (trip); we didn’t know what to expect.
Pulled out a bit
“The last 100 yards he pulled out a bit again, so we will be happy with that.”
Coen’s brace came up on 16/1 Miss Australie in the mile and six-furlong handicap for four years old and upwards rated 0-60.
A big field of 22 runners went to post for this staying assignment, but her rivals were readily swept aside once Coen steered her into the lead inside the final furlong.
Miss Australie subsequently ran on strongly by three and three-quarter lengths for the Reddy/Dhand/Walsh/Murphy ownership group.
Winning trainer Ado McGuinness said: “I think he (Coen) has gone three in front in the apprentice title and he doesn’t do lights, so it is harder again for somebody like him to win it. We’ll try and give him as best as we can as I’d like to see him win the apprentice title.”