Art Lord repels his challengers at Navan© Photo Healy Racing
An excellent jump at the second last took several lengths out of the field and enabled frontrunning Art Lord to stretch away and claim a two mile maiden hurdle at Navan.
Alan Crowe and Art Lord looked sure to be swallowed up at the fourth last when Aonvarr among others loomed large on his shoulder.
The seven-year-old gelding kept finding more though, and powered up the hill after the last despite doing all the donkey work in the race.
The winning distance for the 20/1 winner was five lengths. Aonvarr, who was heavily backed this morning from 3/1 to evens, could make no further headway in second at 5/4 while 12/1 chance New River completed the placings.
Francis Casey, son of trainer Peter Casey, said: “That was a bit unexpected. He’s a big galloping horse who stays further.
“I said to Alan (Crowe) not to be afraid to let him bowl along. This track suited him much better than Wexford although he wouldn’t want the ground any quicker than this.
“He’s a half brother to Vics Canvas.”
At Wexford in mid March Art Lord weakened to finish seventh of 17 in a two mile maiden hurdle on heavy ground.
Ian McCarthy was given a six-day suspension by the stewards for excessive frequency with the whip on runner-up Aonvarr.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
