A Hardy Nailer (right) jumps the last with Martello Park and Sassy Diva© Photo Healy Racing
A Hardy Nailer completed a quick double at Navan for owner JP McManus and rider Mark Walsh when gaining a hard-earned victory in the Dunmoe Mares Maiden Hurdle.
The daughter of Flemensfirth has been lightly-raced since winning a point-to-point and a bumper nearly four years ago, and she was an easy-to-back 7/1 chance despite going close at Fairyhouse last month.
The Robert Tyner-trained mare travelled well to challenge after two out but had to battle hard to get the better of 11/4 joint favourite Martello Park on the run-in.
The pair set down for a protracted tussle after the last with Walsh’s mount just finding a bit extra in the closing stages to score by a neck. Sassy Diva looked a big threat when looming up on the outer at the penultimate flight but weakened on the run-in to finish seven lengths back in third.
Walsh had things alot easier in the opening Kells Maiden Hurdle where the Joseph O'Brien-trained Speak Easy won in fine style.
Tyner said, “She deserved that. I probably gave him the wrong instructions the last day. On a different course today we said we'd hold on to her a bit more. She battled well and age and experience stood to her. She had a nice run the last day and seemed in good form since.
“We'll see what the handicapper does and we might run her in another hurdle. She got a fall and lost her way a bit over fences so we said we'd put her back over hurdles to get her confidence. She'll go back chasing in the long-term as she has the size and scope but she just wasn't attacking her fences.”
(GC & AM)
