Bog Warrior back on track

Dropping back in trip with more patient riding tactics employed, Bog Warrior got his career back on track after a Down Royal flop on St Patrick's Day, in the Grade 2 Webster Cup Chase at Navan.

The Grade 1 Drinmore hero from 2011 and Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle victor of 2013, Bog Warrior got to the clear front-running favourite Baily Green from the second last fence.

Tony Martin's Strategic Choice gelding led at the last and on the run-in he went on to prevail by three lengths. They left the returning to action Down In Neworleans thirty four lengths behind with Roi Du Mee three parts of a length off him last of the four.

Having been on the mark half an hour earlier with the Willie Mullins-handled and Davy Russell-ridden Mozoltov in the case of Bog Warrior Gigginstown House Stud employ Tony Martin and Paul Carberry in the training and riding roles.

Martin reflected: "If ever a horse deserved to win a race it's him. He deserves to win a proper race.

"It's great that he's come back. He was in great form going to the North (Down Royal) but it was trainer error to have run him on that ground.

"I hadn't the heart to pull him out. He has to have that ground (heavy).

"I'm delighted for the horse and I'm delighted for Eddie and Michael (O'Leary).

"The man (Paul Carberry) suited him and he jumped great.

"If he'd had an injury free career he could have been anything.

"You don't come across a horse like this every day of the week – he's a bit special." (GC & EM)