Keane excels from the front on Bobby

After missing the cut for the Irish Lincolnshire at Naas last weekend, Bobby Bob gained a measure of compensation in the Bective Restaurant At Navan Racecourse Handicap.

Successful on his debut at Naas in March of last year, the son of Big Bad Bob then finished third and fourth on his next two starts.

Sent off a well-backed 2/1 favourite this afternoon, the grey four-year-old was given a brilliant front-running ride by Colin Keane.

He raced in a clear lead for much of this mile contest, and while his advantage was reduced inside the final furlong, he kept on to prevail by half a length.

The fast-finishing Gasta had to settle for second at 7/1, while Minnie Haha (9/1) and Agent Zigzag (14s to 8s) completed the placings in third and fourth respectively.

Shane Lyons, assistant trainer to his brother Ger, said afterwards: "He's not an easy horse at home and we train him solo. A lot of credit goes to our head man Martin Horan and Colin (Keane). They have both done an awful lot of work with this lad to settle him at home.

"He was fit but will improve for the run. Colin didn't realise he was that far in front. We'll stick to a mile and see what the handicapper does. He doesn't want it too quick but it's riding deeper out the back and more or less good ground in the straight.

"Mentally he's after getting a lot better than last year. He's strengthened up and we've always liked him. Hopefully there is a big one in him this year."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards informed Denis Gerard Hogan, trainer that Make A Challenge would have to be recertified before being declared to run from stalls again.

The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Castle Guest ridden by A.J. Farragher, and trained by M.Halford. Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned. A.J. Farragher, stated that his instructions were to jump and travel where he felt comfortable and balanced, get a breather into him at the top of the hill and do his best work at the finish. In the race itself he jumped sluggishly, he was on his head early. He got the horse to relax, the horse took a blow at the top of the hill where the field got a few lengths on him. In the straight he stayed on well to be sixth past the others which were stopping. Regarding the sluggish start, he stated that the horse was stood in stalls for longer than ideal which may have contributed to this. M. Halford, confirmed the instructions given and expressed his satisfaction with the ride. He stated that this was a 10 year old horse that hasn't won since 2016 but was fit and ready to do himself justice today. Ideally the horse probably wants 1m 1f these days. He stated that the horse standing in stalls for longer than ideal may have contributed to the horse's sluggishness early. The Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer that this horse was slightly lame post race. Samples were taken for analysis. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards noted the explanations offered.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee