Gallant Oscar (nearest) heads Drive On Locky at the last© Photo Healy Racing
Ruby Walsh recorded a treble at Navan as Gallant Oscar held a late renewed challenged from Drive On Locky to prevail in a thrilling finish to the Meath Handicap Hurdle.
Drive On Locky had headed long-time leader Memories Of Milan before the final flight but was claimed over the last by Gallant Oscar.
He rallied to push the eventual winner hard on the run-in and only a head separated the pair at the line.
The Tony Martin-trained gelding had attracted support from 11/4 this morning and was sent off 7/4 favourite on track.
“He had a good run the last day and improved off it,” said Martin.
“We got him around August time and he's had a few hiccups. I thought he wanted further but looking at that you wouldn't think so.
“He probably got there a bit early but he stuck his neck out and held on well.”
Martin also had news about a couple of his stable stars:- “Benefficient will get a entry in both the Champion Chase and Ryanair. I doubt he'll run between now and Cheltenham.
“We'll have a look at the races closer to the time and also see what the ground is like.
“Bog Warrior had a problem with a near joint but he's done a few bits of fast work now. “We might get a run into him next month. He's a horse that has to have soft ground.”
The 13-year-old Mick The Man ran a cracker in the race, to finish third, having been off the track for 1,414 days. Shane Hassett, rider of runner-up Drive On Locky, carried a pound overweight.
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
