Regal makes breakthrough

Regal Power gained an overdue success when claiming the opening five-furlong maiden at Navan.

Eddie Lynam 's charge had been knocking on the door all season and made the breakthrough on his eighth attempt with a visor tried for the first time.

Declan McDonogh had his mount to the fore throughout and he battled well in the closing stages to get the job done. Sandspring looked like getting his measure for a few strides inside the final furlong but had to settle for second close home as a head seperated the pair at the line.

Lynam was delighted to get the win with the 9/2 shot although he felt he wasn't at his best:-

"The jockey was very strong and I'm delighted to get the win.

"He's just not as good as he was earlier in the year and like a lot of them he's dying for the national hunt season to start!"

McDonogh added:- "He deserved that - he's had plenty of chances. We rode him wrong the last day when we held him up as he likes to get on with it. He's a better horse going straight as well.

"Eddie was confident the visor might help him. He didn't have to improve much to be involved at the line but he stuck at it well."

(On course reporting by Alan Magee)