The performance of the two market leaders in the featured Philips Electronics Lismullen Hurdle was the main talking point at Navan on Saturday, with victory going to 33/1 outsider Rose Of Inchiquin.
The seven-year-old grey mare, trained by Sean Treacy and ridden by his nephew Tom, made all to beat the Paul Moloney-ridden 4/11 chance Bannow Bay by three and a half lengths. Bannow Bay and second favourite Mantles Prince were settled well off the pace in this two and a half mile event before both stayed on under pressure in the straight. The stewards decided that both riders, Moloney and Philip Carberry, had ridden injudiciously, and suspended them for one day (November 16). They were also ordered to forfeit their riding fee.
'If your not in you can't win!' said a delighted Sean Treacy, and added: 'She is a brilliant jumper but really we were hoping to just get some black type by being placed. She will probably go novice chasing soon.'
Native Upmanship got his season off to an impressive start in the Kilsaran Paving Fortria Chase. Conor O'Dwyer oozed confidence as the seven-year-old swept to the front before the last to beat Frozen Groom by two lengths. Arthur Moore nominated the Tripleprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham next month as a likely target, while Sean Graham shortened his Cheltenham Gold Cup odds from 25/1 to 16/1.
Moore and O'Dwyer earlier initiated a double with Well Ridden in the Corporate Opportunity EBF Beginners Chase. O'Dwyer bided his time on the six-year-old, heading the front-running Alcapone approaching the last to win a shade cleverly by a neck. 'Conor gave him a beautiful ride, and he will go next to Punchestown for a winners race,' said Moore.
Aunt Aggie earned a crack at the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse on December 3 after taking the two mile Gunne Residential 'For Auction' Novice Hurdle in workmanlike fashion under Barry Geraghty. 'She may go further in time as she seems to stay well,' said trainer Edward O'Grady afterwards.
