Caviar grinds out hat-trick Royal Caviar had to work, and survive a stewards enquiry, to justify his short price in the concluding Grade 2 bumper at Navan, giving trainer Willie Mullins a hat-trick on the day. Patrick Mullins made the running on the 1/4 shot and he was content to surrender the advantage to Fine Rightly turning for home. He reclaimed the lead a furlong and a half from home but had to get serious with his mount inside the final furlong as Fine Rightly battled on gamely. The Rich Ricci gelding had to dig deep to maintain his advantage and had a two-and-a-quarter length margin over the runner-up at the line. The stewards had a look after the winner came across the runner-up inside the final furlong but the result was allowed to stand. Patrick Mullins did, however, receive a five-day ban for careless riding. Royal Caviar was following up on an impressive win at Fairyhouse last month and was maintaining his unbeaten record having also taken a point-to-point last April. “We didn't think there would be much pace and he's bred to stay so we decided to go on,” explained Willie Mullins. “He's a fine big chasing type and he was quite keen today.” Paddy Power left the winner unchanged at 14/1 for the Cheltenham bumper. (Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
