Navan Sunday review & free video replays

Magnificent seven Troytown triumphs for Elliott

A gamble on American Mike went awry at Navan, but Gordon Elliott still recorded a seventh victory in the Bar One Racing Troytown Handicap Chase courtesy of Stuzzikini.

As usual the Cullentra handler was strongly represented, with nine of the 18-strong line-up facing the starter.

Jack Kennedy had nailed his colours to American Mike’s mast some time ago, however, and when he jumped to the front four out, his judgement seemed likely to prove spot on. But his effort proved disappointing almost straight after that and he eventually dropped away.

Gavin Brouder – standing in for the sidelined Danny Gilligan – and Stuzzikini (20/1), meanwhile, powered over the last and stormed away from Lucid Dreams and Yeah Man to win by four lengths and 15 lengths.

Elliott said: “Brilliant! I tipped him up yesterday on television and I said he had a chance. I just thought he was a horse that leaves a bit for himself, he is a bit of a monkey. I thought he could have a couple of pounds up his sleeve. Gavin gave him a great ride. Danny was unfortunate, he got a fall.

“In fairness to him (Brouder), I’d say he has won on most of the horses he rides, so we will just keep him riding in the big chases!

“To win seven Troytowns is unbelievable.”

A thrilled Brouder said: “It’s very unfortunate for Danny, hopefully he gets back soon enough. I couldn’t believe how well I was going after the back of the last to the line, I had a big smile on my face!”

Francis Foran, who owns the winner along with VCS Versatile Coating Specialist Ltd, added: “First horse and it is magical! What a day, I nearly fell coming out of the stands! The dream has come true.”

There are Better Days Ahead

Better Days Ahead came out on top from Slade Steel in what is likely to prove an informative Race And Stay Irish EBF Beginners Chase.

Both were winners at the Cheltenham Festival in March – Better Days Ahead in the Martin Pipe and Slade Steel in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – and both were making their debut over the larger obstacles.

It was Better Days Ahead (2/1) who set out to make it in the hands of Jack Kennedy and Slade Steel was never able to really get to him.

Elliott’s six-year-old finished last season with third place in Grade One company, as had Slade Steel, and started this campaign in perfect fashion, triumphing by four lengths from Henry de Bromhead’s charge, who was sent off the 1/2 favourite.

Elliott said: “We bought him off Warren Ewing a couple of years ago and bought him to be a big chaser. He looks like a chaser. It has been a slow burner to where we are getting with these horses. Noel and Valerie (Moran, Bective Stud) are massive supporters of Cullentra and they have invested a lot of money in racing. They are getting their dividends now.

“It takes time to get where we are and to get winners for them in Navan, their local track, is like a dream come true. I’m absolutely delighted for them and this is a special weekend.

“Obviously, he is entered in the Drinmore – that might just come a bit too soon. We will look at something probably around Christmas. He is a Martin Pipe winner and it is a race that good horses come out of.”

Noel Moran said: “He was our first Cheltenham (Festival) winner. He did it very well today now, his jumping was very good apart from the first couple. It is always great to have a local winner here, so we have had a fantastic weekend and can’t complain.”

The Yellow Clay proves much too strong

The Yellow Clay bolstered his reputation with a smart success in the John Lynch Carpets & Flooring Monksfield Novice Hurdle.

Sixth in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in March, the five-year-old made a seamless transition to obstacles at Down Royal last month and was all the rage at odds of 8/11 to follow up in Grade Three company at trainer Gordon Elliott’s local track.

Where’s My Jet and Paul Townend led the field for a long way, tracked by The Yellow Clay and Fleur In The Park as they started to get towards the business end of the two-and-a-half-mile contest.

It looked like Fleur In The Park might just be going best two out, but Jack Kennedy clearly had plenty of horse underneath him as The Yellow Clay surged clear approaching the last and went right away to beat Where’s My Jet by 10 lengths.

Elliott said: “He’s a nice horse and has always done everything well at home. I loved the way when he made the mistake at the second-last, he (Kennedy) squeezed him and he let him back on to the bridle.

“I’d say he is a nice horse. I thought it was a good performance, he quickened off them. He has a great attitude and a great way of racing, he is so laid-back.”

On what would be next for the Noel and Valerie Moran-owned winner, Elliott pointed towards a Grade One target: “You’d imagine we would go to the Lawlor’s (of Naas).”

Paddy Power trimmed The Yellow Clay to 12/1 from 16/1 for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

Hogan weaves the old magic to win with Cast A Spell

Veteran trainer Tom Hogan was delighted to be back in the winner’s enclosure at Navan after Cast A Spell ran down the odds-on Qualimita under 5lb claimer Cian Quirke to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.

A maiden winner on the Flat in Killarney in October, Hogan’s six-year-old was last seen finishing third in a Listed event over obstacles at Cork.

Hogan – who will always be associated with multiple Group One-winning sprinter Gordon Lord Byron – said: “It took a long time to get into her act jumping. She got brought down one day schooling in Thurles and she didn’t forget it for a long time.

“The last day she ran in Cork, she was actually heavily in season when she got her black type, and we didn’t know until afterwards. We knew that she was a lot better mare than ran in Cork. She was faultless there today and she has the talent.

“She always runs with the handbrake a bit half-on, so there is a lot more there than she gives. I found those type of horses will always win plenty of races. She might not win every day, but she will win more nice races.”

He added: “It is great to win, as I only have a couple of horses. It is great to get a race like this, in a place like this, at a festival like this. We will keep an eye on other festivals.”

Total control on debut

Total Look shaped as a useful prospect in winning the Bar One Racing “Price Boosts Across All Channels” 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle.

The highest-rated runner on the Flat of the 11 starters, the Gavin Cromwell-trained three-year-old travelled nicely for Keith Donoghue as Star Runner made it in front and moved stylishly to the lead running towards the final flight.

Beyond Your Dreams markedly reduced the 11/4 favourite’s advantage close home, but Total Look was a solid half-length to the good.

Cromwell said: “We bought him as a yearling to go juvenile hurdling in the long-term, so everything is after working out to plan – it doesn’t often happen like that!

“He’s a lovely horse going forward – he has plenty of size and scope and should keep improving. A very athletic type of horse. He is (ground versatile), but I’d say that is beautiful ground for him and he will handle softer ground as well.

“Still a very immature horse, but that leaves you plenty of improvement. I don’t really have many juveniles to run. Obviously, Hello Neighbour is an exciting one as well.

“I’d say it (Fairyhouse) is probably too soon, but I wouldn’t rule anything out.”

More from Sporting Life

• Racecards
• Fast results
• Full results and free video replays
• Horse racing news
• Horse racing tips
• Horse racing features
• Download our free iOS and Android app
• Football and other sports tips
• Podcasts and video content

Safer gambling

We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.