IN-form Jessica Harrington posted another double through Heavenly Being and Bay Of Sanibel, both ridden by Shane Foley, at Navan on Wednesday.

Heavenly Being (10/11 favourite) was always towards the fore in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden and held a clear lead approaching the final furlong of this sprint. She powered clear in the closing stages to score by four and three quarter lengths for owner Zhang Yuesheng.

Assistant trainer Kate Harrington said: “We thought a lot of her, she did a lot growing mid-summer and she got a touch of a sore shin on us. She has got over that now and it is nice for her to break her maiden.

“Shane said five (furlongs) is definitely her minimum and to go up to six and seven furlongs next year. She is a half-sister to our Group 1 winner No Speak Alexander and I think there is a future for this filly next season.”

Imposing

Bay Of Sanibel really enjoyed a step up in trip to a mile and six furlongs for the Safer Gambling Navan Maiden.

The Sea The Stars three-year-old had finished unplaced on debut over 10 furlongs at the Curragh, but this trip saw the imposing filly at her best.

She disputed the lead two and a half furlongs out and grabbed the initiative with a furlong and a half to race, staying on strongly up the hill to see off Neptunes Staircase by a neck at 12/1.

Harrington said: “We picked her up from the Arqana December Sales last year. Denis Cullen did a lot of pre-training with her, she only came to us in May/June time and she is only really learning her job there. You can see her ears were pricked down the straight.

“She is going to be a good staying filly next year.”

The winner is owned by Australian Michael Drapac and this was the first runner in his colours in Ireland.

WILLIE McCreery’s Vassula Ryden justified favouritism in the extended five-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden in ready style.

The Fastnet Rock juvenile was produced by Billy Lee to challenge inside the final furlong and hit the front with 150 yards to travel. She won going away by three and a half lengths at 11/8.

The trainer said: “The run in Galway (third) educated her a lot. She ran a lovely race there and she came on a lot from that.

“I thought it might have been a bit sharp for her, but she hit the line well. Steve Fisher owns her and he has the mare, so hopefully it is onwards and upwards. That will probably be it for this year and we will try and get a bit of blacktype next year.”

Owner/trainer James McAuley saddled a one-two in the Safer Gambling Handicap as Navorrosse (20/1) beat Pulse Of Shanghai over the extended five furlongs.

Wayne Hassett switched Navorrosse to the inner and the move paid off as the pair made sustained headway to lead with 150 yards to go. Pulse Of Shanghai came home well, but was half a length in arrears at the line.

McAuley said: “For a small filly she is very brave. We’ll give her a run in Dundalk, but if it is not her bag of tricks she has earned her keep for the winter.”

Greek Flower got off the mark at the 13th time of asking in the Navan Racing Festival Early Bird Tickets On Sale Now Maiden over five furlongs.

The market expected her to oblige as she went off the 5/4 favourite and it was Dylan Browne McMonagle who conjured up a good finish as she took the honours by two lengths for owner Reginald Roberts.

Winning trainer John Feane said: “I thought she would have won before now, but she was only touched off a few times. She is versatile trip-wise and she will come back next year for a few handicaps again.”

Lynam’s Siren much too strong

SCREEN Siren shot clear of her rivals for a comprehensive victory in the Blackcastle Handicap over the minimum trip.

The 9/2 chance dwelt in the gates and was held up by Chris Hayes before being ridden to lead inside the final furlong. From there the race was over as they drew four and a quarter lengths clear in Trevor Dalzell’s colours.

“She was probably a little bit unlucky the last day (in fourth at the Curragh) and didn’t get the gap when she needed it,” trainer Sarah Lynam said. “She did it very well - I didn’t expect her to win by that far. She’s a good filly to have, she’s a fun filly.”

Charles Byrnes’ Viceregent (4/1) collared Jazzy Rock in the closing stages of the first division of the Pimlico Racing Happy Retirement Zoffany Bay Handicap over a mile and six furlongs to post a half-length victory for the Golden Circle Group Syndicate.

Jockey Adam Caffrey said: “He quickened up down the hill and he has picked them off one by one. He has won well at the line, going away. He needed every yard of the trip and the ground was ideal.”

Belief

The second division went the way of Firm Belief who didn’t go unbacked at 16/1. Seamie Heffernan steered her to the front a furlong and a half down and she kept on well to see it out by two and a half lengths.

Owner/trainer Rodger Sweeney said: “Seamie gave her a good ride, he is canny at the front and is a good rider. He is riding the best of the best! She should make a nice hurdle mare.”

Zoffany Bay, mentioned in the race title and a winner of five races, finished in rear on his final start.