Noel Meade kept his many supporters at Navan happy when half-an-hour after landing the first with the well-backed favourite, Hollo Ladies Thegreatjohnbrowne did what would be expected of a 4/6 shot, but not before giving all involved a fright with a last flight mistake in the 2010 Navan Membership 'The Ideal Christmas Gift' Maiden Hurdle.
This attractive big son of Beneficial travelled well throughout under the owner's son, M J Doran. He led away from three out and though not doing a whole lot in front he was always looking good until a fairly bad error at the last. However, he didn't lose that much momentum and he stayed on well to beat the front running, The Big Boyo by two and a half lengths with the other major player in the betting, Johnnyofcourse a length and three parts back in third.
Meade reflected: "That was grand. The last was the only hiccup – he is still a bit green. He'd want further and a better gallop. He works a nice horse but he is one for the future – over fences in time. He didn't win well enough to go for the Slaney Hurdle (at Naas) so we'll find something for him in the New Year."
