Colnel Rayburn put up a fine weight carrying performance to land the featured Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Handicap Chase Final at Navan.
The Paul Nolan-trained gelding was giving weight away to his 17 rivals in this three miles event, and put a number of disappointing efforts behind him to record a 20/1 victory. Ian Power's mount reeled in the pace-setting Rose Perk at the last for a three lengths success, and a delighted Nolan said afterwards, 'It's great to get him back on track. The ground was quite tacky which slowed down the others and helped him to travel. Ian said he was quite lazy, and we may try cheek-pieces on him in future.'
Definate Spectacle could be on Noel Meade's Aintree team after narrowly opening his jumping account in the juvenile maiden hurdle. The Spectrum gelding was very patiently ridden by Paul Carberry, steadily creeping up on the leaders to strike the front before the last. However a mistake at the final flight allowed Tasman to gain a slight advantage, and Carberry galvanised his mount for a renewed effort to score by a head.
'This fellow needs to be held up as long as possible as he only got about a mile on the Flat and we were worried about his stamina. He missed the last, and I would expect him to improve from that. He's unlikely to go for the Triumph Hurdle, where I hope to run both Power Elite and Wild Passion, and Liverpool would suit him much better,' said Meade.
Carberry completed a double half-an-hour later when Deanery Nellie easily landed the odds in the two and a quarter miles maiden hurdle. Ger Lyons' charge was always travelling well, and led at the last to beat Mr Murphy by three and a half lengths. 'She's going the right way and the aim now is to get her black type. She'll go for the Grade 3 mares novice hurdle final at Fairyhouse on Easter Sunday,' said Lyons.
Ted Walsh was decrying the lack of opportunities for staying novice chasers after Jack High justified good support (2/1 to 6/4 favourite) in the two and a half miles beginners chase. The nine-year-old gelding, formerly trained by the late Willie Rock, stayed on strongly from two out for Garrett Cotter to beat Potoffairies by seven lengths. 'This horse needed three miles over hurdles but there is only one three miles novice chase between Christmas and the end of the season and that is at Thurles which didn't suit the owner,' said Walsh.
Tristernagh (8/1 to 9/2) landed a nice touch in the two and a half miles handicap chase, always prominent under Tom Treacy to beat Celtic Ross by a comfortable length and a half. 'He likes soft ground and big fences, and hit a nerve when pulled up at Naas last time,' said trainer Al O'Connell.
David Casey was seen to good affect aboard Sandpiper Bay in the handicap hurdle, driving the six-year-old past the front-running Supreme Peace in the closing stages to score by two and a half lengths. 'He deserved that and could make a nice three mile chaser some day,' said trainer Niall Madden.
Alan Magee
