Pixie comes from last to first

Pixie Spirit came from last to first as he took the Navan Members Apprentice Handicap under Ana O’Brien for James Nash.

The chestnut four-year-old son of Namid has been a model of consistency this season and he hasn’t been out of the first three now on his last five starts.

Having finished just half a length second to Ucanchoose at Bellewstown last Saturday he was sent off at 3/1 this evening having touched 7/2 on-course.

In rear from the start he made progress on the outer from two furlongs out and was soon ridden.

He kept on strongly from over a furlong out, getting to the front with less than 150 yards to race before going on to score by a length and a quarter. Above The Law who attempted to make all, had to settle for second at 7/1 under Conor Hoban for Andrew Oliver, while La Canaada was a nose back in third under Connor King for Harry Rogers at 4/1 (backed from 11/2 on-course). Hi Empress was sent off the well-backed 11/4 favourite (opened at 4/1) but she could only manage a disappointing sixth under Keith Moriarty for Sean Hennessy.

James Nash said afterwards: "He was unlucky the last day. He was just too slow away.

"He tends to be a bit slow away and then finish off his races, but Bellewstown was that bit sharp for him.

"He deserves a small break now, he is after being busy. Hopefully if he gets an ease over five or six he will win another one.

"I think he will be better with a bit of an ease.

"It is great for his owner (Mary Hayes) and it is great and for Ana."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson