Sign From Above and Mark Walsh lead Navan rivals home© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Peter Fahey doubled his Navan score with Sign From Above taking the honours in the Bar One Racing Price Boost All Channels Maiden Hurdle.
Fahey had combined with owner Basil Holian for a victory earlier courtesy of Toto Too but this time the County Kildare-based handler consigned the colours of the Galway man to the runner-up spot.
Holian has Antrim Coast in training with Gavin Cromwell and he ran an excellent race on hurdles debut. However in the hands of Mark Walsh Sign From Above had a length and half in hand at the line.
Sign From Above shared favouritism with Arabian Diamond
That one made a mistake down the back, appeared to lose his action, and was soon brought to a halt by Jack Kennedy.
"Mark was saying they went very quick early on and, then when they steadied it up, he just got on the bridle a bit and travelled," said Fahey.
"He picked up well and quickened away down to the last.
"He's a nice horse, he's a very consistent horse and never runs a bad race. He had two runs in Galway one day after the other and he ran a cracker both days.
"He'll be a nice horse there for nice handicaps. He gets two and a half mile and I suppose some of those nice two mile handicaps where they go fast up front, he could be dropped in a bit and come through them. He could be one to sneak in off a low weight in a real good two-mile handicap. I think that is his proper forte.
"I think ground doesn't bother him.
"He still has a nice mark on the Flat so there could be something for him before the end of the season on the Flat."
J.W. Kennedy, rider of Arabian Diamond, trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount went lame and was quickly pulled up.
Miss C. Butler, rider of Jullou De Grissay (FR), trained by John Joseph Hanlon, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that her mount clipped a heel on the bend after the third hurdle. The Raceday Stewards reviewed the footage and were satisfied that no further action was warranted.
The Raceday Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Mr. H.T. Hynes, that M.J. Molloy, rider of Another Red Cat had weighed in at 2.9lbs overweight. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who accepted that this was the case. Having considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that M.J. Molloy was in breach of Rule 231(iii) and having considered his record they suspended him for one race day.
(MG & EM)
