Denis O'Regan replaced Bryan Cooper (injured) on Monbeg Notorious and the Gigginstown House Stud-owned and Gordon Elliott-trained first-time blinkered runner took the honours in the Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Novice Hurdle at Navan.

Odds-on favourite Baltazar D'Allier (also representing Elliott) stumbled and fell at the back of the fifth flight, hampering Augustin

That grey threatened danger to Monbeg Notorious over the closing couple of flights, but he could get no closer than five and a half lengths at the line.

"He's a grand big galloping horse, a chaser for next year. This is the sort of track and ground that he wants," said Elliott.

"He's a winter horse and may not do too much more this season. He'll be a nice

horse for next year."

(AM & EM)