Review NAVAN 11TH MAR

James Fahey, 18, partnered his first winner over hurdles when successful aboard Wheresben, trained by his father Seamus, in the 2m maiden hurdle (div 1).

Wheresben provided Fahey with his two previous racecourse wins in bumpers, and the 9/10 favourite rallied strongly on the run-in to overhaul the long-time absent Mitchelstown by 2L.

Seamus Fahey said, 'He got a knock at Cork last time and hopefully he'll be okay in the morning. I'd like to step him up to two and a half miles.'

The vast majority of jackpot permutations were ended by the 25/1 shock win (paid over 120/1 on the Tote) of Harper's Pride in division two.

Barry Cash brought the gelding through horses with a well-timed run to lead well after the last for a length verdict over All Diamonds.

Royaldou weakened in the closing stages to finish a close fifth, and connections blamed the ground on the 2/5 favourite's defeat.

Susan Finn had mixed feelings after Undergraduate made all under Billy Lee to score by 11L in division one of the four-year-old maiden hurdle.

'We were thinking of going for the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday but decided to come here instead.'

'Maybe he should have gone as he was one of the few well handicapped Irish horses. He'll probably go to Aintree next month,' said Miss Finn.

Favourite backers were also on the mark in division two as Crhme D'arblay scored in equally convincing fashion under Denis O'Regan,easing clear between the final two flights to beat Quinmaster by 7L.

Trainer Tom Cooper will now aim her at a mares novice hurdle at the Fairyhouse Easter meeting.

The two divisions of the 2m7f handicap hurdle proved a real stamina test in the conditions, with Waking Ned asserting in the closing stages for Shay Barry in division one.

Green Black led over the last for Danny Howard in division two, staying on well to hold the renewed effort of Aghacashel Angel by a neck.

'That was a good performance for a six-year-old. He ran his heart out, and may have one more run this season,' said trainer Arthur Moore.

The recently retired Solerina and stable-companion Limestone Lad were both paraded after the fourth race. The pair won a total of 57 races, with 14 of those victories coming at Navan.

Alan Magee