Senior proves the Chief in staying Novice Hurdle

Senior Chief followed up a Punchestown maiden win last month when again showing good reserves of stamina in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Hurdle at Navan. Landrake poached a five-length lead from the start and set a good pace in this 2m6f event but was challenged approaching the last by the well-backed Senior Chief — 7/2 in the morning and sent off the 6/4 favourite.

The son of Gentlewave was ridden to the front early on the run-in by Rachael Blackmore and kept on well to score by half a length.

The pair drew 11 lengths clear of Paul Marvel in third.

Winning trainer Henry de Bromhead said, “Delighted with that, he's a lovely horse. I like the way he ground it out there. He's still a baby, but he is improving all the time.

“He only needs to land there, you wouldn't want to be getting there too soon. He stays well but yet he has a gear as well. He was only just beaten in a two-mile maiden hurdle in Clonmel.

"He's qualified for the Red Mills Auction Final at Punchestown, so he's entitled to go there. We wanted to get him a bit more experience."