Zabana registered his fifth career win and his fourth over hurdles at Navan today, when landing the Follow Navan On Facebook Rated Hurdle for trainer Andy Lynch and jockey Robbie Colgan.

The six year old son of Halling shook off the persistent challenge of Sizing Codelco from the second last and in the end went on to beat that rival by six lengths, to claim his fourth hurdle win in just nine jumps starts for trainer Lynch.

Afterwards Lynch stated "I was a little scared of the ground but the two miles didn't worry me and it was a good performance; he's a good horse.

"It was a competitive race and they went a good gallop and he showed his staying power.

"He was third in the Pertemps qualifier and will probably go to Cheltenham as the owner (Chris Jones) wants to go; whether he handles the track there is a question."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson