Halford's Golden Hopes

Mick Halford is hoping a more competitive field will bring about further improvement in Golden Cross after his Ladbrokes World Hurdle contender landed an unconvincing victory at Navan.

Johnny Murtagh had to work hard on the 8-15 favourite to collar long-time leader Florida Coast in the last 100 yards of the Grade Three McCabe Builders Ltd Boyne Hurdle, eventually scoring by a length and a half.

Unsurprisingly, bookmakers were not impressed with VC Bet leaving him unchanged at 7-1 for the stayers' championship, William Hill still going 6-1 and Cashmans 8-1.

Halford said: 'Johnny said after the race that the horse didn't have much company with only five runners in the race.

'He had to wake him up but he got through the ground well enough and he will be better in a more competitive race with more horses around him.

'He definitely answered the question about staying the trip and will go for the World Hurdle now, ground permitting, and I wouldn't risk him on fast ground.'

Church Island (7-2) staked his claim for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase with a convincing victory in the Grade Two ladbrokes.com Ten Up Novice Chase.

Coljan made the running but when he made one of his several mistakes at the fifth-last fence, Church Island jumped into the lead.

Jockey Andrew McNamara never had to get serious on Michael Hourigan's runner, who came home six-lengths clear of American Jennie.

'The horse was not right after Christmas but he's back in form now and the plan is to go for the SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham,' said Hourigan.

'Before that he had been unlucky a few times. He unseated his jockey in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse and also at Leopardstown early on over Christmas. Those two races were vital to him and messed him up as he went so early on in them.'

VC Bet cut Church Island to 20-1 from 33s for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase.

Mansony made all the running to win an eventful ladbrokes.com Flyingbolt Novice Chase.

Court Leader fell at the first with Barry Geraghty giving up his remaining mounts, Greenhall Rambler unseated his rider five out and Monjoyau and Tony McCoy parted company at the third-last.

With the favourite Zum See unable to make any impression, Mansony (2-1) went on to score very easily by 25 lengths in the hands of Conor O'Dwyer.

Mansony, trained by Arthur Moore, was given a 25-1 quote for the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival with VC Bet.

'It is nice to get him back on track and I was much happier with his jumping,' said Moore.

'In his previous race (when sixth in the Irish Arkle) it was a bit of a disaster as we got it wrong tactically as he was closer to the pace than would have liked in a fast-run race and it all went wrong.

'I have not ruled out the Arkle at Cheltenham but I will have to talk to the owners in the next few days and see what we are going to do.'

? PA Sport