WILLIE McCreery continued in flying form when saddling a double at Navan on Wednesday, as Billy Lee moved three clear in the jockeys’ title.
Chapel Lane was the first leg of the brace when taking the Navan Racing Festival Maiden in a tight finish.
The 3/1 shot led inside the final furlong of the mile contest and held the rallying effort of Resurgence at the line for a head victory.
“He’s owned by Tom McParland and Joey Kirwan, two good pals of mine, so I’m delighted,” said McCreery.
“I went back for a maiden, because I thought he ran a good race in Killarney the last day and I thought he’d have the experience for a maiden at this time of year. He showed a good attitude and he fought to the line.”
Strong support
Later, Make The Tide justified strong support when taking the second division of the 0-60 handicap over a mile.
Lee produced the 7/2 shot (12/1 in morning) to lead inside the final furlong and beat Moyaasr by two lengths.
“She was home-bred by Dave and Sarah Hyland of Oghill Stud, so I’m delighted,” said McCreery. “She’s actually very well bred, she’s a half-sister to Hopewell Rock that was narrowly denied in the Ebor.
“She was always weak and Billy said every time he rode her to let her strengthen up. We’ll see what the handicapper does and look for something similar.”
Meaningful success
The first division of that race was claimed by Land Of The Giants, a game winner under Adam Caffrey.
Ado McGuinness’ charge led passing the two pole and kept on stoutly to record a length-and-a-quarter win over Spiritofthedawn.“He was back in that grade having been running in 0-70s. Sometimes those horses coming back in grade, it’s a bit easier for them,” said McGuinness. “I’m delighted, as he belongs to my yard sponsor James O’Sullivan, he’s a great supporter of mine as was his dad Bart before him. It means a lot to have a winner for him.”
COLIN Keane pegged one back in the title race when Sonoran arrived late to land the ‘80’ handicap over a mile.
The Ger Lyons-trained gelding swooped in the closing stages to record a length success over Harana, at odds of 9/1.
Lyons said of Sean Jones’ charge: “On a proper track you can ride him cold and let him do that, that’s the right thing for him.
“If he does too much too soon, you can’t ride him like that. When he gets there, he tends to lean a bit left.”
Timurshah continues streak
Aidan Melia’s decision to try the flat with Timurshah paid off, as the Mastercraftsman gelding recorded a fifth straight success since joining the Monasterevin handler.
Derek O’Connor took the mount on the 2/1 favourite in the two-mile Kilberry Handicap for amateurs and the favourite travelled strongly to lead a furlong and a half down.
Day Trader stayed on well to press in the closing stages, but could only get within half a length of Michelle Connolly’s gelding.
Melia said: “He proved that he can do it on the flat now as well, so at least we have a few different options with him now down the line.
“I’d say he might go on his holidays now, I think he deserves it. We’ll get him back maybe around Christmas or New Year and make a plan then.”
BEST Love bagged an important maiden win for connections, when landing the opening Irish EBF Auction Series event.
Declan McDonogh led shortly after the two pole on the 7/2 shot and she held Annie Batt late on for a three-parts-of-a-length victory.
The winner is trained by Eddie and Patrick Harty for Paul Fitzpatrick Racing, and Harty senior said afterwards: “This is as stiff as you’ll get over five, so we said we’d ride her for a little bit of luck, with a bit of cover. It just didn’t pan out well, but Deccie gave her a fantastic ride.
“We bought her off Peter McCutcheon, who bred her, and he stayed in for a leg. He was very keen to get a winner for the mare. To win a two-year-old maiden is great for the catalogue.”
Top of the ground
Another happy breeder was Nick Varney after the win of Cashel Blue in the sprint handicap. The Ken Condon-trained filly led a furlong from home to record a three-quarter-length win under Reese Holohan.
“She likes top of the ground, so time is running out in that regard,” said Condon. “She travelled well for young Reese and she battled away well to the line.
“She’s a home-bred, so I’m very pleased for Nick Varney. She’s out of his good mare Blue Uluru, so he’ll be very pleased with that.”
Strong surge
There was a Qatari-bred winner of the finale on the card, as Mawhibah scored for Joseph O’Brien and Joey Sheridan.
The daughter of Australia came with a strong surge inside the final furlong to get up close home in the 10-furlong maiden and record a half-length win over Sunatia.
“She had to do it the hard way, being drawn that wide (22),” said Sheridan of the 8/1 winner.
“Her stamina came to the fore in the last furlong, up the hill. Back up to a mile and a half, on a galloping track, I think she’ll keep improving.
“She’s improving and it’s nice to ride a winner for Mohammed (Hamad Khalifa Al-Attiyah), he’s a big supporter of Denis (Hogan), as well as Joseph.”