It may have been an all-flat eight race card at Navan yesterday, but many National Hunt trainers will have left the Proudstown venue in a positive state of mind after the most interesting event of the day, the two mile maiden.
Several familiar names from the jumping game were using this contest as the starting-point to their campaigns and if the triumphant Back In Front can continue in a similar vein, then his trainer Edward OGrady and all of his connections have plenty to look forward to in the coming months.
There was simply no denying how impressive the seven-year-old was on his return to action after a 289 day layoff. Leading over a furlong out, the son of Bob Back soon settled the issue in a matter of strides, quickly stretching clear. Indeed Jamie Spencer could afford the luxury of easing down the 9/2 shot close home for a three and a half length victory over Akilana. Edward OGrady was obviously more than satisfied.
He said, thats a big step on the road back and he did it well. The track is important to him as he needs a galloping course. The Morgiana Hurdle (a race he won last year) at Punchestown will be next.
Macs Joy and Sweet Kiln also emerged with their reputations intact. The former travelled well to challenge early in the straight, led two furlongs out but he could raise his effort no further, eventually filling the third spot.
It was always going to be difficult for Sweet Kiln to dominate as she loves to do in this thirty runner field. However the 7/4 favourite, despite being pushed along in fifth over five furlongs from home, stayed on gamely all the way up the straight to finish fourth.
Jamie Spencer was also on the mark in the following maiden. Though Brian Borus full-sister, Kitty OShea swished her tail under pressure, the easy-to-back debutant had done enough after leading a furlong and a half out to hang on by a fast-diminishing head.
Ballydoyles number one was on the wrong one in the colts and geldings maiden. Here strongly supported favourite, Down Mexico Way just failed to catch stable companion, Yehudi, going down by the minimum margin.
Odds against in the morning, Mullins Bay (4/6) was another costly failure for Aidan OBrien backers, this one finding Noel Meades Power Elite and Fran Berry too strong in the mile one furlong conditions race.
Berry then went on to match Spencer by completing a brace in the mile two furlong handicap. Like Power Elite, Al Eile was one of the top juvenile hurdlers from last term and John Queallys runner made light of a 167 day break to beat Dolphin Bay by three parts of a length.
Thomond OMaras Spanish Cove in the hands of Denis Hogan may have been the stable neglected according to the betting for the five furlong handicap, but the 16/1 chance belied that status to win by three and a half lengths.
Another apprentice, Damien Murphy conjured up a strong run out of Cairlinn to lead inside the final furlong of the sprint nursery, crossing the line a comfortable two and a half lengths in front for Declan Gillespie.
Racing concluded with odds-on Zafarna failing to justify her market position, only managing third. Tyrone trainer, Andrew Oliver turned out his All Diamonds quickly after finishing third at Roscommon on Monday and the decision paid dividends as he scored under Declan McDonogh. This fellow beat hat-trick seeking Fran Berry by a short head on Battle Games.
