Anibale Fly returns with a win

Anibale Fly found plenty for Barry Geraghty after the last to get up and collar 100/1 shot Broken Soul in the two mile maiden hurdle at Navan.

Tony Martin's five-year-old gelding was last seen in April winning a Fairyhouse bumper on the back of a bumper success at this venue in March.

No less than 28 horses lined up for this contest and Geraghty had him settled on the rail in seventh as the field cleared the fourth last. The leaders were well within striking distance at this stage.

He was a close-up sixth jumping the second last before looking for room up the inside of St Stephens Green approaching the final flight. St Stephens Green made a slight mistake there as Broken Soul landed in the lead. However, Anibale Fly responded to the whip and kept on strongly to reel in Broken Soul and win by half a length.

Sutton place, 50/1 from 66/1, was four and a quarter lengths back in third. Balko Des Flos the 6/4 favourite, finished 12th.

Barry Geraghty said: "On that ground we went a nice even pace but we were in a bunch and lots of traffic and you seemed to weave your way through them and lucky enough I got the breaks.

"He got there nicely but it was hard enough work I suppose on the ground.

"The only negative you would take was there was a bunch of us there turning in. You always like to see the chaff and the wheat apart a bit. He did it well so you couldn't fault him. It's hard work out there."

Tony Martin added: "For a horse first-time out you'd have to be happy. He jumped well and did it well. It's great to get that out of the way.

“Having won a couple of bumpers you'd hope he would do that. We'll get him home now and touch wood he's alright.

“He'll probably go somewhere in two or three weeks but I'll talk to Frank (Berry) and nothing is set in stone.

“I don't think he'll have any problem going further in time. He wouldn't have a problem with that ground or distance over fences either long-term."

Anibale Fly was backed from 3/1 to 2/1 this morning before being returned at 7/4. He holds an entry in the Grade One Lawlor's Hotel Novice Hurdle at Naas in January.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson