Midnight It Is scores with a bit in hand

Midnight It Is recorded a fourth career win for connections when overcoming a near 11 months lay-off to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Chase in good style at Navan.

The Gavin Cromwell-trained gelding was absent since winning at Fairyhourse back in January and scored here off an 8lb higher mark.

The 10/1 chance travelled strongly to head the front-running Don’t Go Yet approaching the final fence and Sean Flanagan sat motionless in the closing stages as the eight-year-old scored by a length and a half. Folly Master finished well to take the runner-up spot with 7/2 favourite Cheerful Chap a further three and a quarter lengths away in third.

Cromwell said, “Obviously he hadn't run for a long time but he runs well fresh.

“We've been waiting a long time for the ground for him. He's been ready for quite a while and we were anxious to get him out.

“He won well and we might have a look at the Dan Moore. Hopefully we're up to that grade.”

Quotes by Gary Carson