Native Sessions overcame very testing conditions at Navan on Saturday to land the EBF Novice Handicap Chase Final by a distance.
There were eight declared for this 50,000 euro feature but only three completed the three miles as the Ian Power-ridden Native Sessions cruised past the front-running The Premier Cat before two out for a facile victory. Bob Justice was the only other finisher having being remounted after falling at the last.
'The ground is appalling, but he stays forever and loves soft ground. He will go for the Irish Grand National providing the ground is soft,' said successful trainer Noel Meade.
Oliver Brady warmed up for the Cheltenham Festival in the best possible style when saddling Eagles High to land the four-year-old maiden hurdle on his jumping debut. Martin Mooney's mount led on the run-in to beat Louisville by three lengths, although there was also a tragic side to the race with Vicious Lover breaking a leg after leading over the final flight.
Brady, who runs both Kenilworth and Balapour at Cheltenham, said, 'He won four times for Richard Hannon last year, and I bought him for 32,000 at the Newmarket sales. He'll be a better horse on good ground.'
There was a titanic three-horse photo-finish to the two and a quarter miles maiden hurdle, and leading claimer Keith Hadnett proved his worth when getting Ride The Storm home by a head from Chancy Lass to record his 25th success of the season.
Howaya Pet was prominent throughout under Shane McCann in the three miles handicap hurdle, and gamely held off Lotomore Lad by a short-head. 'She's game, keeps galloping and should make a nice staying chaser next year,' said trainer Ger Keane of the former useful point-to-pointer.
Michael Bates partnered his first winner as a professional when getting Andrewjames up in the closing stages to deny Prime Target by two lengths in the handicap chase.
Alan Magee
