Cheeky Carberry tames the Beest

Paul Carberry was at his cheeky best as Wildebeest readily landed the Nobber Maiden Hurdle at Navan.

The Oscar gelding galloped strongly through the heavy ground, and the former champion didn't move a muscle as the six-year-old gelding hit the front approaching the final flight.

Carberry remained motionless on the run-in as Noel Meade's charge kept on strongly up the hill to beat Sizing Titanium by a facile two lengths. Cest Notre Gris was a further eight and a half lengths adrift in third.

Meade said, "He worked last Tuesday with the horse that won yesterday (Heck Thomas)and I was thinking that either the other horse worked badly or he worked exceptionally well.

"He's a chaser for next year. He's a big horse by Oscar and could make a nice one.

"He didn't seem to fire last time at Leopardstown. He handles that soft ground and jumps great.

"We'll try and win another one but chasing is his game. He hasn't done much wrong and wants further. Today you'd have to get two-and-a-half to win over two miles."

(GC & AM)