Warnaq and Andrew Lynch© Photo Healy Racing
Locally-trained winners are part and parcel of any Troytown Day at Navan and Kilmessan-based Matthew Smith struck with Warnaq (3/1 into 9/4 favourite) in the Davis Civil Engineering Handicap Hurdle. Share The Honour went in the other direction in the on-course market for Moynalvey handler Tony Martin, going off a 9/2 shot having opened at 'threes.'
He could manage only third place as Andrew Lynch went out and gave Warnaq a confident ride from the front.
The talented Flat handicapper kept up the gallop, and though finding herself with a reduced advantage inside the final furlong she held Western Honour by two and a quarter lengths.
It was seven and a half lengths to the aforementioned Share The Honour in third.
“She galloped away out in front, and her jumping was very good. During the winter on bottomless heavy ground she wasn’t just seeing it out but it worked out well today," said Smith.
“She likes it here. That’s two wins here and two in Naas. She’s probably a bit better going left-handed.
“We were going to bring her over to Saint-Cloud for a mile Listed race last week but she was a bit disappointing in her last bit of work and we decided not to go. I’d like to get her some black type at some stage.”
(AM & EM)
