Yonger survives scare as Flemenstar fades

Felix Yonger survived a scare at the last to claim the featured Webster Cup Chase at Navan this afternoon.

On a bad day for the bookmakers he became the fifth well-backed favourite in a row to score when landing the Grade 2 contest.

The Willie Mullins-trained gelding was sent off 11/10 market leader having been as big as 2/1 this morning.

The champion trainer and Ruby Walsh were completing a quick brace following the victory of Jarry D'Honneur in the previous race.

Felix Yonger hit the front two from home in the two-and-a-half mile contest and powered clear before the last.

He was lucky to survive a blunder at the final fence, however, and had to get down to work on the run-in to record a three-and-three-quarter length victory as Argocat stayed on in second.

The winner had returned from a short break when scoring over hurdles at Leopardstown last time and could now be a possible for Punchestown.

"I was very happy to see him going on that ground. It was very sticky heavy ground and I didn't think he'd go on it," said Mullins.

"The fact that he's won over two-and-a-half on that means we could open up in trip more on better ground.

"I'm not sure where he'll go next but he'll get an entry for the champion chase at Punchestown. He's improving." Flemenstar was prominent throughout as he made his return from a long absence. He could find no more when headed two from home, however, and faded to finish sixth.

His trainer Tony Martin said: "He jumped great and it was only from the second last that he got very tired.

"He gave him a great ride until two out and hopefully he's alright in the morning."

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)