Former champion trainer Arthur Moore dominated the feature Pierse Contracting Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan today with Lyreen Wonder (9-1) beating better-fancied stablemate More Than A Stroll (5-1).
A novice last season when he ended the campaign with an easy victory at Cork, Lyreen Wonder had problems with his jumping then and survived an early scare here before quickening away from More Than A Stroll with top-weight Micko`s Dream finishing a creditable fourth.
The 1999 Grand National hero, Bobbyjo, weakened before the home turn, at which stage the eventual principals were moving into the firing line.
As the weight began to tell on Micko`s Dream and the favourite Fiddlers Tune could find no extra, Moore`s pair had the finish to themselves going to the last and Lyreen Wonder picked up well for in-form jockey Barry Cash.
The 25-year-old Cash was recording his fifth success in four days as Lyreen Wonder took the winner`s prize of #32,500 in the colours of the `Lyreen Syndicate`.
'I am happy that he got the trip and is learning to find a leg when he makes a mistake. He will probably go for the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown after Christmas,' said Moore.
Former champion jockey Ruby Walsh, who partnered Micko`s Dream, had his first success since returning from injury when Benovia was a run away winner of the opening Newgrange Hotel Maiden Hurdle for Frances Crowley.
British-based jockey Norman Williamson also visited the winner`s enclosure when the JP McManus-owned Get It Done took the Monksfield Novice Hurdle on his jumping debut.
'This is a chaser in the making and he will probably come back here for a similar race in a couple of weeks,' said trainer Edward O`Grady.
McManus was on hand to also see his Shannon Gale belatedly open his account over fences in the EBF Beginners Chase in the hands of Paul Moloney.
