'We thought some time ago that he has the engine for the Irish Grand National'

Saturday: Navan

The Grade B 3m Novice Handicap Chase Final proved lucrative for local trainer Tom Gibney as he saddled the first two, with the performance of winner Velvet Elvis leaving him dreaming of a second Irish Grand National success.

The son of Shirocco did not put a foot wrong under Darragh O'Keeffe, jumping soundly to score by four and a quarter lengths with stable companion Regina Dracones filling the runner-up spot, despite the trainer initially being reluctant to run them both in the race.

Gibney said: "We're not a big yard and it was breaking my heart to have to run the two of them in the same race, but the conditions were made for both of them.

"Regina came out of the Fairyhouse race so well that I had to run her and I knew she would run well. If I didn't win with one I thought I might with the other!"

Connections of Velvet Elvis following their victoryCredit: Peter Mooney

It is ten years since Gibney won the Irish Grand National with Lion Na Bearnai and there are hopes that Velvet Elvis could emulate him, if not this year then in the future.

Gibney added: "He's a lovely horse to be associated with. It's great for me to get that horse because his owner, Derek Kierans, puts more expensive horses into me than anyone else and it's great for me to win a prize like that for him.

"The Irish National is a definite possibility. We thought some time ago that he has the engine for something like that and we will definitely have a think about it."

Pottsie wins Webster

Navan's hill and deep ground brings out the best in Sizing Pottsie and it did so once again as the Jessica Harrington-trained gelding landed the Grade 2 Webster Cup Chase under Robbie Power.

The son of Kapgarde, a winner of the Flyingbolt Novice Chase at the track two years ago, travelled well through the race and saw off the challenge of favourite Master McShee by three-quarters of a length.

Sizing Pottsie and Robbie Power on their way to winning the Webster CupCredit: Peter Mooney

Power said: "He's been a fantastic servant to his connections, but that ground is absolutely vital to him. He has run some disappointing races but most of them have been ground-related, even yielding to soft ground is no good to him.

"He won a Flyingbolt around here and it's a track like this where you will get heavy ground. He did a very good piece of work on Tuesday, so we knew he had come on from his run at Gowran. He is a good horse that has had a few issues, but ground is key to him."

Results, replays and analysis

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