Lyreen Legend impresses in Navan opener

Lyreen Legend is a grand young prospect and he emphasised the fact that there are plenty of good days to come for his trainer Dessie Hughes and owners, the Lyreen Syndicate, by firmly putting odds-on favourite Jenari in his place in the opening Christmas Novice Hurdle at Navan.

The victorious son of Saint Des Saints took over from the pace-setting Kerrkil before the straight. It then developed into a contest between the 'big three' as Jenari and Tackmaster (Davy Russell reported that he stopped very quickly after the second last) tried their respective cases two out. From before the last though it was apparent that Lyreen Legend wasn't for catching as he galloped on resolutely to score by four and a half lengths. They left Tackmaster nineteen lengths behind in third.

Bryan Cooper rode Lyreen Legend and he said: "He loves that ground. He's still a bit babyish and will be better over two and a half miles.

"I got a nice feel off him and he won cosy in the end." (AM & EM)