Racegoers at Navan yesterday were witness to several easy winners despite the testing conditions underfoot.
Malthouse Master was prehaps the most impressive in the Mannix Dowdall Handicap Hurdle. Oliver Finnegan's son of Sadler's Wells cruised into the lead at the second last and quickened clear to beat Ard Hudie by 13 lengths.
I thought he would improve from his run at Leopardstown but I wasn't expecting him to win as easy as that. It's his owner Peter Byrne's first winner, said Finnegan.
Master Billy was a 20-length victor in the 'Navan Golf Club' Open For 2005 Membership Novice Handicap Hurdle. Michael Darcy sent his mount to the lead five out and the pair stretched away from their rivals over the final three flights.
It was a welcome winner for trainer Willie Codd, who handles mainly point-to-pointers and last saddled a winner 'under rules' back in November 2002.
High Priestess (4/6f) was turned over in the opening Skryne Maiden Hurdle as Giolla De took the honours in good style.
Bright Gas ended a run of placed efforts when gaining a deserved win in the 'Here Comes 2005' Maiden Hurdle while Eurochancer gained a hard-fought success in the 'Nap Winner' Handicap Hurdle.
