John can't reach Moon

Equipped with a first-time hood Urban Moon came out best in the Come To The Family Day May 18th Handicap at Navan for trainer Johnny Murtagh and rider Niall McCullagh.

Well-backed favourite John Constable (cheek-pieces on for the initial occasion himself) looked sure to go by Urban Moon but seemed content enough to just get upsides and found himself a short-head down at the line.

On Andrew Tinkler's three-year-old Murtagh stated: "He's progressing all the time and it was his first time at a mile and two.

"Niall said he stayed well and battled well when the second came to him.

"Hopefully he'll improve again and make up into a nice type of horse.

"He's come along nicely. He's a big framed horse and hopefully he'll improve through the year as he develops.

"Niall said he would like better ground. It's tacky today."

C.D. Hayes, rider of Le Troisieme Gris trained by J.T.Gorman, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount lost his action in the straight.

(GC & EM)