Navan suits Aasleagh Dawn really well

Aasleagh Dawn bounced back to form in the opening John Joe Finnegan Memorial Handicap Hurdle at Navan.

The 20/1 shot made headway on the inner before the second-last and was ridden by Ger Fox on the run to the last.

She jumped that obstacle in third behind front-running Olive D'haguenet and Stacks Mountain but really began to motor between horses with 150 yards to go.

She swept past Olive D'haguenet in the final 100 yards of this stiff finish and won going away by three and a quarter lengths.

Olive D'haguenet took second at 25/1 from 7/1 co favourite Stacks Mountain. Lake Takapuna completed the placings in fourth at 16/1.

“It worked out grand. She's a bit slow and wanted that big galloping track and the good ground,” trainer Gavin Cromwell said.

“I ran her in Ludlow in England because I thought she wanted nice ground but it was just too quick for her and she couldn't operate at all but that was just nice for her.

“She needs everything to go her way. It was absolutely ideal as they went quick and she was flat to the boards the whole way.

“She jumped great and was brave enough over the last two. She'll stay further and she wouldn't want to be going any less than that.”

On Espoir D'allen, who won the Grade Three Fishery Lane Hurdle in Naas yesterday, he said: “He's good and I was delighted with that.

“I don't know what would have happened with the other horse and I don't want to speculate. Ruby's lad (Saldier) still looked to be travelling very well and it's one of those ones where we'll never know.

“I don't know about the Hatton's Grace. It's a tricky year for a four-year-old and I definitely don't want to over-face him.

“That was a good run yesterday and he's definitely worth minding. I'll chat to Frank (Berry) and JP (McManus) and it's up to them at the end of the day.

“There are probably a few more options in England for him.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson