Harvard Guy, left, jump the last with Ask Anything © Photo Healy Racing
Harvard Guy flattened the last but it didn't prevent him from reeling in Ask Anything in the Lisadell Equine Hospital Handicap Hurdle at Navan.
Mark Walsh 's mount closed on 4/1 favourite Ask Anything at that obstacle and, despite knocking it down, stayed on the better to lead in the closing stages. He was kept up to his work to prevail by three-parts of a length at 7/1, backed in from 11s.
Runner-up Ask Anything was some 13 lengths clear of Stuart Crawford's The Flier Begley (12/1) who was was a head in front of his stablemate Ballycoose (well backed down to 12/1).
This run over 2m4f was Harvard Guy's first appearance for 252 days and he delivered for Eddie & Patrick Harty.
Harty snr said: It was nice. I thought he might have a squeak based on his run at Fairyhouse.
“He was all out to do it and we'll have to look for something similar. I'm delighted to be back on the scoresheet for JP (McManus, owner).
“Hopefully at some stage down the line he'll make a chaser, he has the physique for it.
“I think he'll get three miles in time, but I wouldn't be in any rush to do it. It's something to be explored down the line.
“I think it's Patrick's first time on the board for JP since being on the licence, so it's important for him as well.”
The Raceday Stewards interviewed D.P. Maxwell, rider of fifth-placed Rowdy Romeo concerning his use of the whip in closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. D.P. Maxwell accepted he was in breach of the regulation and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards found D.P. Maxwell was in breach of R.10.3(g)(frequency) and R.10.3(i)(time to respond) and in considering his record in this regard they suspended him for 10 race days.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
