Well-backed Boy takes Navan opener

Daybreak Boy justified plenty of market support, as he took the opener at Navan this afternoon, the Bar One Racing Download The App Maiden Hurdle.

A smart performer on the Flat, the Henry de Bromhead trained five-year-old went down by just three parts of a length on his last try over flights at Punchestown in May.

He since disappointed on the level at Royal Ascot and Killarney respectively, but was clearly well-fancied to bounce back today, going off the 7/4 favourite having opened on-course at 11/4.

Settled behind the leaders by Rachael Blackmore, the John Byrne owned victor was ridden in fourth from three out.

He came with his challenge between the final two flights, and soon got to the front, stretching clear on the run-in to score by six and a half lengths. Hyperdrive who was sent off the 7/2 second favourite, filled the runner-up spot under Robbie Power for Jessica Harrington, while 16/1 chance Whiskeys Brother was another five and a half lengths back in third.

de Bromhead said afterwards: "He had a couple of good runs last year and was a bit unlucky the last day at Punchestown over hurdles. Then he went a bit wrong on us over the summer so we backed off him and brought him back here. Thankfully John's (Byrne, owner) patience has paid off and he was good there.

"We always thought he was a good horse and he's good on the Flat. It's great to win one finally.

"Rachael said she was a bit unlucky to be behind the one horse she didn't want to be behind who kept jumping across her early on. She got a few good jumps down the back.

"He seems to go on most ground, and touch wood he'll be okay tomorrow. He's won on soft and fast, so he seems to go on anything."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Grey Habit, trained by P.Meany, for failing to lodge the passport in accordance with the provisions of Rule 90 (i).

The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Trump Card ridden by L.A. McKenna and trained by Conor O'Dwyer.

Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned.

L.A. McKenna, stated that his instructions were to jump off in mid division, give his mount plenty of time to jump as he can be a very cold jumper and to do the best he could.

He said his mount jumped and settled well but backed off on the approach to his hurdles. He conceded that he could have been seen to look stronger in the closing stages without reverting to use of the whip as instructed by the trainer, but felt he would not have finished any closer.

Conor O'Dwyer confirmed the instructions given and expressed his satisfaction with the ride. He described his charge as a cowardly type despite having plenty of ability and outlined the animals previous good form on the flat.

He felt the ground today was not a factor and felt that his charge would have to learn how to attack his hurdles in order to be more competitive in future and may consider running him over a longer trip where he would have more time between hurdles.

The Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer, who reported the animal to have sustained a cut on the left hind cannon but was otherwise to be found post race normal, samples were taken for analysis.

Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, including that of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer, the Stewards noted the explanations offered on this occasion. Mrs. T.K. Cooper absented herself from this enquiry.

D.J. Mullins, rider of Mizz Monroe trained by Peter Fahey, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount found the ground to be very slippy.

B.J. Cooper, rider of Gone Galavanting trained by Peter Fahey, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was one paced, found the ground to be very quick and staying on past tired horses in the closing stages.

C.D. Maxwell, rider of Gemma's Flame trained by Hugh Paul Finegan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount would not let herself down on the ground.

M.A. Enright, rider of Gloves On trained by John W. Nicholson, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount slipped badly on the racing surface before his saddle slipped down the bottom of the track.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Gloves On, trained by John W. Nicholson, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have lost the left hind shoe in running.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee