Sunset Nova makes the breakthrough

Sunset Nova snapped a run of placed efforts with victory in the extended five furlong maiden in Navan.

The 7/2 favourite had been placed in his last five races, so certainly wasn't winning out of turn.

He was always prominent in this sprint but had to rally to get the better of Sun Sign in the final furlong.

He went on by a length in the closing stages to reward favourite backers. Sun Sign took the runner-up berth at 5/1 and she was a length and three quarter in front of Miacomet at 7/1.

Andrew Slattery 's brother and assistant Brian Slattery said: “He's been knocking on the door and he's been ultra consistent lately.

“It was great to get his head in front and it was the lads' (Men Of Forty Eight Syndicate) first winner this year.

“We'll go to Galway now on the Monday night for the seven-furlong three-year-old handicap.

“Donie O'Connell and Pat Leahy are the two main men in the syndicate. Donie has a Tipperary function there, so he was always going there anyway.

“It was nearly six furlongs today and that will be seven up the hill. It might be a little bit of a worry but he's going anyway as the lads have a party on.”

This was Sunset Nova's first success on his 13th start.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson