Curraheen Princess continues Navan love affair for rookie trainer Stokes

Saturday: Navan

Trainer Nicky Stokes has just three wins to his name since beginning his career at the start of the season, and all three have come courtesy of Curraheen Princess at Navan.

The Prince Of Lir filly once again showed her affection for the Meath venue with victory in the PF ‘Mutt’ Conlon Memorial Handicap, gamely fending off the challenge of Tide Of Time by three-quarters of a length under Joe Doyle.

Doyle has been in the plate for five of the filly's six wins, and Stokes now has his sights set on the Joe McGrath premier handicap at the Curragh at the end of the month.

He said: “She’s straightforward. She eats and sleeps sprinting and there's nothing to her. She doesn't pull or drag and just hacks away at home. Joe has a great relationship with her and she just loves it here. She'll go to the Curragh at the end of the month for the Joe McGrath hopefully.”

Silmaniya clicks for Murtagh

Johnny Murtagh continued his recent good form with Silmaniya’s victory in the feature nursery making it five winners in nine days for the Curragh trainer.

Polar Bear set a good pace throughout the 5f contest and looked as though he would hold on for victory on his handicap debut, but he wandered around badly in the closing stages, allowing Silmaniya to rally up the inside and get up at the line by a neck.

It was not before time for the daughter of Expert Eye, who had good maiden form, and Murtagh was pleased with the performance.

He said: “I thought it was a perfect race for her. She had been running in maidens and was just getting there too soon. She has a lot of ability. You couldn't question her attitude there, it got tough and she dug down. It was a good performance and hopefully she’ll improve.”

Keane draws level

Colin Keane drew back level with Billy Lee on 74 winners at the top of the Flat jockeys’ championship after Redressed’s success in the mile fillies' maiden.

Victory didn’t look likely for the Juddmonte Stud filly when Native Queen took over proceedings at the furlong pole, but the daughter of Le Havre battled back under Keane to get back on top inside the last 100 yards and score by half a length.

Assistant trainer Shane Lyons said: “We’re very happy the rain came today, she wouldn't have ran if it didn't. She's really a mile-and-a-quarter filly but not just yet, she'll be that next year. We'll see how she comes out of today. If she has one more run it'll be late in the season on the turf. She's still filling into her frame.”

Results, replays and analysis

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