The opening race this afternoon at Navan, The Santa Claus Maiden Hurdle was won by the Mervyn Torrens trained Quartetto ridden by Andrew Thornton and owned by Anne Torrens.

Thornton raced his mount in behind the leaders, improved to lead approaching 3 out, clear from 2 out and kept on well to win by a comfortable 11 lengths.

Winning trainer Torrens said afterwards, "I'm delighted with that win, he did it well. We will probably step him up in trip and may go for a graded race with him. He was entitled to win here, we thought he needed better ground but he appears to love the heavy ground."

Andrew Thornton recorded his 15th career win this afternoon aboard the Tertullian gelding reducing his claim to now 5 pounds. He rode his first winner just this year at Wexford.

Thornton said, "I ride out for Mervyn Torrens and Pat Martin a few days a week. I would like to thank my agent Ruadhri Tierney who has been a great help to me.