Cool Azul holds on for narrow Navan success While there was a clearcut winner in the opening race of the day, it was far tighter as the Billy Lee-ridden Cool Azul just prevailed to land the Ardboyne Hotel Maiden for trainer Andy Oliver at Navan. But once again it paid to race on the far rail and Lee switched left on the 7/2 chance to deliver his challenge at the furlong-pole before scoring by nose from Johnny Feane’s rallying 8/1 shot Forza Magico, with the Danny Murphy-trained Trek Home, a 5/1 chance, the same margin away in third. The 13/8 favourite Institute was three and a half lengths further back in fourth place. The win put Lee on the 43-winner mark for the season, one behind championship leader Colin Keane. Andy Oliver said: “We might have run him back a bit quick at the beginning because he is a big horse. We just gave him that nice bit of a break and it freshened him up. “He did that nicely and might have had a wee bit in hand at the end! Billy gave him a lovely ride. A big horse and you would hope that he develops into it.” Additional reporting by Michael Graham
