Monbeg Notorious and Jack Kennedy (far side) beat Mossback and Davy Russell © Photo Healy Racing
Monbeg Notorious ground out victory in a gruelling finish to the Grade 2 Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan this afternoon. Moulin A Vent jumped out to make the running in the three-miler and Sean Flanagan had to sit tight when his mount made a mistake at the second fence.
He was joined three from home by the Gordon Elliott-trained Gigginstown pair Monbeg Notorious and Mossback
It was the later who appeared to be going best as he gained a narrow lead going to the penultimate fence.
Monbeg Notorious started to motor for Jack Kennedy going to the last however and took the lead.
A slightly slow jump there let Mossback back in with a shout but he couldn't find a way past his stable-mate on the run-in and Monbeg Notorious held on at the line for a half-length success.
The winner was following up on his victory in the prestigious Thyestes Chase at Gowran last month.
“They are two grand honest galloping horses — big staying chasers. They are both in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National, and we’ll see what happens. They wouldn’t want firm ground.”
The weights for the Irish National are due to be announced in a launch at Jessica Harrington's yard on Wednesday morning.
It was a big race double on the day for Elliott following the earlier win of Diamond Cauchois in the Boyne Hurdle.
(Quotes by Alan Magee)
