Sceptred Isle gains first win over hurdles The first division of the Balreask Bar, Restaurant & Guest Accommodation Handicap Hurdle at Navan went to Sceptred Isle (12/1) who recorded her first win over jumps in the hands of Danny Gilligan. The dual Flat winner, who hadn't run over hurdles since February, came from off the pace and made good headway from the second-last to lead at the final flight. Noel Nugent's daughter of Cityscape went away to beat Jaadil by four and a quarter lengths. Trainer George Kingston said: "She was starting to look very well handicapped, obviously. "We didn't run her in many hurdles. There was one day in Tipperary she came cruising but she hit herself and I don't know if that cost her, but she made a bad mistake. The race actually worked out well. There was another day in Clonmel where she pulled way too hard. She was free up front and she just burned herself out. She never stopped fighting the jockey. "That was the thing (enjoyed herself today). Young Zoe McMullan who is with me there (leading up) schooled her and she was fantastic and relaxed. I rode her myself yesterday morning just a canter and she felt super. I was praying that everything would go right because everything was so right. "I remember him (Danny Gilligan) pony racing and I know his parents. I just think he is what a jump jockey should be - his length of rein, length of leg, his position over a fence and in a finish. I just think he is dynamite, he is the future. I'm a big fan of Danny Gilligan. "She was due to win one of those, so we will see what the handicapper does now. We are off the mark over hurdles now and we will see how we go." Additional reporting by Michael Graham
