Solar Breeze powerful up in trip at Navan

Top-weight Solar Breeze shot clear of the field for an emphatic victory in the first divide of the Yellow Furze Handicap at Navan.

This was a step up in trip to 10 furlongs for the Kodiac four-year-old and she didn't half appreciate it.

She was on the bridle for Billy Lee in mid-division outside the three pole and took closer order racing past it. Her forward momentum saw her sweep by War Thunder approaching the final furlong and the race was over in the final 200 yards as she readily moved clear.

One crack saw her pulverise the opposition by an easy four and three-quarter lengths at 7/1 with 10st2lb on her back.

The places were occupied by Not Just Any Eagle (10/1), Grann's Boy (6/1jf) and Tasmanian Girl in second, third and fourth respectively.

Trainer Sheila Lavery said: “I'm delighted. She's been finishing off her races really well but has been slow to break so I stepped her up in trip.

“Robbie (Colgan) had said to step her up and I think at that pace she was much more in her comfort zone.

“Billy was delighted with her and said he wouldn't be scared to step her up further again. Basically, I've been running her over the wrong distance!

“She's a lovely filly. She's in the horses-in-training sale in Goffs and I'll try and get another couple of runs into her before she goes.”

This was Solar Breeze's first turf success having scored over a mile on the Polytrack at Dundalk in February.

The Raceday Stewards requested a report from Ms. Sheila Lavery, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Solar Breeze, placed first, as compared with its recent form. Ms. Sheila Lavery, trainer, stated that a drop in grade, an increase in trip and also that she broke much better than on her last run had helped to contribute to the apparent improvement in form today. Having considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards noted the content of the report.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson