The Navigator charts a course to redemption on Musselburgh's Go North Weekend

Friday: Musselburgh

A long road to recovery paid a handsome dividend on Friday when The Navigator stormed to victory on the opening day of the Go North Weekend.

The seven-year-old was brought down in the Go North Sea Pigeon Series Final last year and faced an uphill battle to regain confidence, but claimed redemption with a last-to-first performance under Conor O'Farrell.

"He broke down in the race last year and it's taken him time to come back," owner George Bell said. "It took him such a long time, he lost his confidence completely and full credit to Dianne Sayer to get him back here. He was cruising before he fell 12 months ago, so this makes up for it!"

The £30,000 pot made it a worthwhile trip for the Cumbria-based owner, who travelled three hours to attend Musselburgh's meeting.

"I missed it last year and didn't want to again," Bell added. "We're chuffed to bits, it's so good for us because we don't get to run for this much prize-money, we're normally only in Class 5 and 6 races."

It was the second consecutive success in the 2m1½f contest for Sayer, who saddled three in the race including last year's winner Iolani.

She said: "The Navigator lacks confidence after falling last year and never really recovered. It was some race today, he's got a lot of ability, but he's just not been the same and it's taken a long time for him to come round. We got there in the end."

Inca Prince takes the crown

While a win at his home track eludes him, Hexham's racing manager Robert Whitelock enjoyed success when the spirited Inca Prince made virtually all to claim the juvenile handicap hurdle final.

"He's a character, all right," Whitelock said. "Ruth Jefferson rides him everyday and I think she has quite a bit of fun with him.

"This race was always the target and the plan has worked tremendously. I couldn't have wished for anything better, except perhaps a winner at Hexham, but if I can't have one there then this has been as good as anything."

Inca Prince: ran his rivals ragged in the Go North Grey Bomber Series FinalCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Jefferson added: "We're debating having a crack at Aintree now. He's fresh and might be a bit more chilled if we run in ten days. He would have to improve, but he's a juvenile and there's only really one race left for him over hurdles."

Good times keep coming

Ryan Mania enjoyed a boisterous reception into the winner's enclosure after he completed a double on Goodtimes Badtimes in the Go North Brindisi Breeze Series Final.

A jovial crowd from the Chicken Hutch Racers clamoured to celebrate with the jockey following the victory of the Sandy Thomson-trained runner.

"There's a group of us who all get together at the Chicken Hutch bar in Kelso, so that's where we get our name," syndicate member Alastair Hogg said.

"I was fine watching the race until the last 200 yards, and then I think the balcony would have fallen off if we hadn't won. We're chuffed to bits."

Mania won the opening race on Well Planted, who pulled off a 25-1 shock when outpointing the odds-on Salsada.

Results, replays and analysis

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