Owega Star leads from Maller Tree (inner) as Un Beau Matin crashes out© Photo Healy Racing
The Peter Fahey-trained Owega Star took a dramatic renewal of the Grade 2 Tara Hurdle at Navan this afternoon.
The race complexion changed at the second last as well-backed even-money favourite Un Beau Matin (from 6/4) crashed out. Whatuthink had taken them along in the two-and-a-half mile contest but gave way to Owega Star, and Andrew Leigh, at the third last.
The new leader was strongly pressed by Maller Tree and Un Beau Matin and the later looked to be travelling best as the trio jumped the second last.
His exit left Owega Star to fend off Maller Tree and he started to assert going to the final flight and stayed on well on the run-in for a length-and-three-quarter success.
The winner had finished runner-up to Un Beau Matin on his last outing at Punchestown last month.
"He really deserved that. If you look back through his form he has never run a bad race," said Fahey.
"He'll probably only have one or two more runs this season as I can't wait for next year over fences - he's a brilliant jumper.
"I'd say the plan will be to bring him back good and early over fences.
"Andrew gets on with him really well. He's not the easiest horse to ride and can mess around and whip around at the start.
"This was our Derby day today."
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
