Red Sabor battles back to beat Mur Hiba

Red Sabor followed-up on a recent win at Bellewstown, as he battled back gamely to win the www.navanracecourse.ie Race.

The Andy Slattery trained chestnut was sent straight to the front by Declan McDonogh, and was ridden out a furlong out.

He was headed inside the final 150 yards by the 2/1 favourite Mur Hiba however he battled back gamely in the closing stages, getting up to prevail by a short head at the odds of 11/4 (from 3s).

The runner-up was ridden by Pat Smullen for Michael O'Callaghan.

McDonogh said of the Brendan O'Sullivan owned gelding: "He'll probably get a few pound for that as he was a little bit wrong at the weights but some of them are well exposed.

"He's in good shape lately and he went down very well. The blinkers make the difference to him and he's alive when he puts the blinkers on.

"That's the first time he's tried six in a while and he was able to control the race for half of it.

"When I sent him down in to the dip I knew he'd stay going. Pat headed me but he found plenty. He's a tough solid horse.

"The lads will have a bit of fun with him and he might stay seven in Galway. I'd say the lads would probably like to go to Galway."

STEWARDS REPORT

D.M. Simmonson, rider of Swish trained by John James Feane, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount found the ground too quick.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson