Gordon Elliott leads dominance for local teams as jumps return to Navan

Navan: Saturday

It was all about the locals as jump racing returned to Navan, with County Meath-based trainers responsible for the first six winners on the all-hurdles card.

Gordon Elliott stole the show with a 21-1 treble, with jockey Kieren Buckley chipping in as he recorded a 10-1 double.

Elliott’s afternoon got off to the perfect start when he collected both divisions of the 2m maiden hurdle, with Pats Choice justifying 2-1 favouritism in the opener before Nonbinding ran out a good winner of the second division.

The Friday Man completed the haul with an easy win in the 2m5½f conditions hurdle, becoming the second leg of Buckley’s double.

Elliott said: “Pats Choice hasbeen knocking on the door and he was entitled to do that. We said we'd stride along on the inside and see how we go and it paid dividends. He found plenty and I'd say he'll stay further.

"We fancied Nonbinding at Downpatrick and he just got wiped out of it. He probably wants further and he's a big chaser. He jumped well today.

“The Friday Man is a cracking horse. He’s a good moneyspinner. It’s nice for Kieren Buckley to ride a winner for me on his first ride for us. His mother and father looked after me very well when I was at Martin Pipe’s, so that was nice.”

Buckley’s first winner was Lorna Fowler’s Y Fyn Duw A Fydd in the 2m handicap hurdle. It was not before time for the daughter of Nathaniel, who finally got her head in front at the 15th time of asking with a game display.

Fowler said: “She gives it everything every time she runs and deserved that more than anything. She's just so genuine. Kieren loved it from start to finish. She jumped beautifully, moved well out in front and had plenty left to give.”

Nibiru comes good for O'Sullivan

The short trip to Navan proved a successful one for Tony Martin as he scored with his only runner when Nibiru took the Ladies Handicap Hurdle under a brilliant ride by Maxine O’Sullivan.

Martin said: “With Katie Walsh and Nina Carberry now gone, Maxine is one of the best around. She was very good on him. The horse was doing nothing but she pulled him out perfectly and he took off for her.

Nibiru and Maxine O'Sullivan (near side) win the 2m Ladies Handicap HurdleCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

“It worked out well for him and when he goes he’s not too bad. He only goes very rarely. John [Breslin, owner] has asked 'will we get rid of him?' but then he goes and does that, so we can’t. But it might be another year before he does it again.”

Romeo on winning path

Noel Meade’s Royal Romeo took the 2m4f maiden hurdle, adding to the locals' dominance.

Meade said: “The step up in trip seemed to suit him and we put cheekpieces on him as he has seemed to idle slightly. He loves fast ground and stays very well.”

Results, replays and analysis

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