Bodhi off the mark in Navan opener

Bodhi Bear completed his sequence when making the breakthrough in the opener at Navan this afternoon.

The Fozzy Stack-trained colt had been third and second on his first couple of outings and went to post a 13/8 shot in the extended five furlong median auction maiden.

Seamie Heffernan took the mount on the Starspangledbanner colt and he disputed with market rival Mathan (5/4f) for most of the trip, edging ahead inside the final furlong for a length-and-three-quarter win.

Stack said: "He is (going the right way) and he hit the gates well there today again. He won well and was a long way clear of the third.

"He should be a better horse next year."

When asked about his Irish 2,000 Guineas entry, he replied: "Sure we will see what happens, it is a long way between now and then.

"Maybe he could be a horse for a Guineas Trial in the spring and we will work it out from there."

Seamie Heffernan quipped: "It is not very often we get to beat Dylan (Browne McMonagle), but today I had the ammunition!"

(Quotes by Michael Graham)