Jungle Junction, left, comes to tackle The Priests Leap over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Jungle Junction snapped a string of runner-up finishes with victory in division one of the maiden hurdle at Navan. The Priests Leap ran a stormer from the front at 25/1 in this two-mile contest, and had the pursuers Hollow Sound and Jungle Junction off the bridle after the penultimate flight.
The leader was less than fluent at the last, though, and saw his momentum stall as the threatening Jungle Junction landed full of running.
The well backed 11/8 favourite picked off The Priests Leap with less than a furlong to travel, and was driven out by Robbie Power to score by a length and a quarter from the runner-up who came back for more in the closing stages.
Hollow Sound (5/1) was another six and a half lengths away in third.
Trainer Jessica Harrington said: "It was about time he got his head in front!
"He doesn't want that very heavy ground but goes on it without enjoying it.
"We'll see what happens but he could go for a novice hurdle at Naas in three weeks time."
Power added: "I always had the gears to get into the gaps when I wanted to. I had something to aim at the whole way up the straight, so it has worked out perfect.
"It is heavy going, it is hard work but perfectly raceable."
Jungle Junction had previously been second in three bumpers and most recently in a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
