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Review navan 14th Dec
Avenir D'Une Vie comes home a very easy winner under Patrick Mullins
© Photo Healy Racing
< Felix Yonger produced a taking display when landing the feature race at Navan, the rescheduled Grade Two Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase.
The 11-10 market leader didn't appear to be travelling as well as some of his rivals when turning for home but once switched, he quickened up smartly in the hands of Ruby Walsh before putting the race to bed with a fine leap at the last.< Bright New Dawn gave chase on the run-in but he was always fighting a losing battle and trailed two and a half lengths at the finish.
The Grade Three Kerry Group EBF Mares Novice Chase was a race of changing fortunes with Queens Wild narrowly prevailing at odds of 11-1.< Miss Dinamic looked to have the prize in the bag when hitting the front entering the home straight but she produced a tired jump at the final fence and was soon treading water, allowing Queens Wild and Perfect Woman back into contention.
Both found plenty as they lunged towards the line but it was Edward Harty's mare who got up in the shadows of the post, getting the verdict by a short-head.< Moon Over Germany (9-4) was produced with a well-timed challenge to see off hot favourite Ball D'arc in the first race on the card, the Kells Maiden Hurdle.
Everything appeared to be going to plan for Ball D'arc when leading two out but Davy Russell was always confident aboard the eventual four and three quarter length victor who took over approaching the final flight before drawing away in good style.
Despite missing out in the opener, trainer Gordon Elliott was on the board 30 minutes later as Whistle Dixie (1-3 fav) recorded a smooth nine length triumph in the Dunmoe Mares Maiden Hurdle.
There was a second success on the afternoon for Walsh as Black Hercules (8-15 fav) made a faultless start to his chasing career in the Drogheda Beginners Chase while trainer Willie Mullins completed a treble courtesy of Avenir D'Une Vie (8-11 fav), winner of the concluding 2016 Navan Race Membership Club On Sale Flat Race.