Davy Russell wins Navan main event
Sunday 14 March 2010
Davy Russell limbered up for the big-race ride on Solwhit in Tuesday's Champion Hurdle by winning the main event at Navan on the Tony Martin-trained Saddlers Storm.
Sent off the 4-1 favourite for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novices Handicap Chase, Saddlers Storm completed a hat-trick with the minimum of fuss.
Russell produced him to challenge heading to the second-last and the combination were soon in full command, going clear of Jack The Bus to win by five lengths.
Barry Geraghty, who rides title-holder Punjabi in Tuesday's Cheltenham feature, got Hellyhunter (6-1) home in a thrilling finish to the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Hurdle.
Acapulco looked to have the race sewn up as he took the last with a narrow advantage, but Davy Fitzgerald's charge would not go away and edged in front close home to score by a head.
Geraghty was following up the success of Our Gar (5-1), who led approaching the second-last and romped away with the Kells Maiden Hurdle by nine lengths.
Marlay Park was sent off the 4-6 favourite for the Kilberry Maiden Hurdle but made a dreadful error in the back straight and got going again too late to catch the Paul Carberry-ridden Dreadnot (5-1), who won by six lengths.
Deal Done's course-and-distance second to Nicanor last time suggested his turn was not far away and he obliged in the Irish Day At Navan Racecourse Beginners Chase.
Always prominent, the 7-2 shot took it up three out under Paddy Flood and eased clear by 11 lengths.
Vintage Oak (7-1) carried a feather weight in the Slane Handicap Hurdle and David Casey resisted all-comers after leading all the way to win by a length and three-quarters from the fast-finishing Nintytwo Team.
The Dawn Omega Milk EBF Mares Novice Hurdle, was won in eyecatching style by the Willie Mullins-trained Morning Supreme.
