Illetas sticks to his guns in Navan© Photo Healy Racing
Tony Mullins' Illetas rewarded favourite backers with victory in Navan's five-furlong maiden.
He was there to be shot at over a furlong from home as he came under pressure while holding a narrow lead.
The son of Power kept toughing it out, though, for 7lb-claimer Luke McAteer and refused to yield as he kept his head in front. Limit Long on the far rail did his best to get on terms with the 5/4 favourite but cracked close home and took the runner-up berth at 15/2.
He was beaten by a length and fended off third-placed I Am Thunder (2/1) by a head. The latter finished his debut race off well to be nearest at the finish.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
