Daniel Howard recorded his first win since joining the professional ranks in November when the Arthur Moore-trained The Quads just held Mr Ventura in the featured #25,000 Proudstown Handicap Hurdle at Navan on Saturday.
Howard (18) previously gained a couple of wins as an amateur in bumpers, and will have taken particular pleasure from this narrow victory as the runner-up was given a power-packed drive by former champion Charlie Swan. The short-head verdict was only confirmed after both a near 20 minute deliberation by the photo-finish judge Michael O'Donoghue, and a stewards enquiry into possible interference in the final 100 yards.
Moore doubled up when the Conor O'Dwyer-ridden Fadoudal Du Cochet defied topweight with ease in the Mannix Dowdall Handicap Chase. The 5/4 favourite cruised home three and a half lengths clear of Scoss.
Glens Music led before the last under Tommy Treacy to beat Golden Row by a length in the Navan Novice Hurdle. The runner-up looked sure to score when making smooth headway to challenge before the last but found little for Philip O'Brien on the run-in. 'She was a useful sort in bumpers but missed out a year with leg trouble. She may be suited by going back to two miles,' said winning trainer Al O'Connell.
Regal Venture made odds-on punters sweat in the opening Mullacurry Maiden Hurdle. The Michael O'Brien-trained gelding and Ilaron both travelled strongly to forge clear early in the straight, with Tom Rudd needing to get serious on the 1/2 chance for a length success.
'I'm a bit disappointed as I thought he would win easier than that,' said O'Brien, who is unsure about future plans for the six-year-old. He confirmed that Knife Edge is on target for the Arkle Chase at Leopardstown next weekend, while Pittsburgh Phil will have his Triumph Hurdle prep run at the Foxrock venue on February 4.
The EBF Beginners Chase proved a real incident-packed affair but Executive Way avoided the mayhem - just six of the 15 runners completed the two mile and a furlong event - to provide Curragh trainer Pat Morris with his first winner. 'I took out a licence at the beginning of this season (June 2000), and have 20 in training at present.'
