Danoli made his comeback complete at Navan on Saturday by landing the featured Navan Commercials Truck Importers Chase - a first win since the '97 Hennessy Gold Cup for the 'peoples champion'. Shay Barry's mount was given a rousing reception in the winners enclosure after overcoming a number of mistakes to justify 7/4 favouritism.
Tom Foley's charge has always been renouned for his courage and determination, and those qualities were again to the fore as the now 12 year old led between the final two fences for a two and a half length victory over the flattering Jeffell.
'I was worried that we were too easy on him since his last run at Naas. He will go now for the Heineken Gold Cup at Punchestown, and could have another run beforehand,' said a delighted Foley.
The Power Gold Cup was nominated by local trainer Al O'Connell as the main target for Montana Glen after the gelding gained an easy success under Tom Treacy in the Slane Novice Chase. 'He would like the ground a bit faster than that (yielding), and will go now for the Powers,' said O'Connell.
Eugene Fitzgerald (22) ended a four year wait when partnering his first winner aboard Ptarmigan Lodge in the Infra+ Privilege Handicap Hurdle. The Buttevant rider produced the gelding with a well-timed challenge leading after the last to beat Cottage Lord by three quarters of a length. The race was marred by a fatal injury to favourite Southsea Native, who broke a leg on the approach to the home straight.
Maynooth permit holder John Carr, who has four horses in training and also boasts a sister to Limestone Lad among his breeding stock, enjoyed a welcome change of luck when saddling Dunlea to take the Joe Norris Motors Maiden Hurdle. The Philip Carberry-ridden winner was Carr's first win on the track since 1990.
