Going - Yielding, Good in places. Dry
Jackpot Pool - 3,108.96 Not Won. Carried forward to Tipperary. Placepot Pool - 19,311.88 Dividend - 9,259.10 Winning Units - 1.46. Days Aggregate - 180,112.16 Last Year 163,345.98
Experience proves crucial as Kiki Roberts sheds maiden status under Keane
It was a bit of a gamble coming back in trip because we do think she needs seven or a mile, but I wanted to get her on good ground and the other couple of places I had her in were giving it soft. I just thought we would take a chance when we had Colin. She was unlucky the last day, she couldn't get out. I think she is pretty useful. Peter Nolan and myself bought her very cheaply and she is after growing three or four inches and filling out. The Americans wanted to buy her after her last run and I decided not to sell her. It was nice she went and won anyway. She only cost five and a-half grand and she would be a possible for the sales race in Naas on the last day of the season. She mightn't like soft ground now.
Lia Fail another winner for in-form apprentice Wesley Joyce
Wesley said she is still a little green, but he said he didn't have to go for the whip with her. It got very close, but the handicapper has it near enough right. There was very little distance between any of them. She's entered for next week in another rated race (Cork on Wednesday), it is the same conditions as this one so we will wait and see how we go on. We'll see how she is and we might have another go. I'm delighted for Wesley, always trying to get him back on the right road. He is such a nice young fella. When he was with us, I couldn't say enough about him. He deserves everything he gets.
Step Back In Time a 40-1 Navan winner for local trainer Timmons
She got away with it (drop in trip), it was a stiff five. Rory thought maybe six would be more in her line, but I'm delighted. The owner (Siobhan Tolerton) bred her and she has persevered with her, I'm delighted to win for her. Her father Wilfred Tolerton used to train years ago. She really ground it out well. It just took her a while to find her feet. She hasn't been running badly, she ran in Cork on Wednesday and she was just pinging the gates and was out in front with no cover over seven - she was a sitting duck and they just came and swallowed her up in the last half furlong. She came out of it well, so we said we would roll the dice. She's not in again, she's due to come into season and she has had a busy couple of weeks so we will back off her for a week or so.
The Highway Rat registers first turf win with battling display at Navan
He had a very nice run on the opening day of the season (at the Curragh in March) which we thought was on very unsuitable heavy ground. He was beaten off top-weight and we were delighted, and we thought this was his season. Then he had a setback and we are just getting him out now. We thought he was plenty short for today, but it was just opportunity. He did that well and Billy was delighted with him. It all went straightforward and to plan.
Boogie Time for Heffernan and O'Brien at Navan
Lucky 13 for McManus's Stay Local at Navan
She's after coming to herself in the last couple of weeks there. I was quietly confident coming here. He was very good on her, he has a good head and a good pair of hands - a great lad. I'm hoping to get her out in a couple of weeks.
Slieve Bearnagh wins by narrowest of margins for Powell
Earth dances in for O'Brien and Ryan in finale