Billie finally gets there

Anyone caught out by the Emperor Of Exmoor and Baby King tight finish at the last meeting here were again deceived when Chillie Billie 'nosed out' well-backed favourite Battleroftheboyne in the opening Navan Welcomes Owners Today Handicap.

Having said all that there was hardly anyone begrudging the John Larkin-trained and Breen White-owned Chillie Billie as he was today scoring for the first time at attempt number thirty four. It can go down as a nice feather in the cap for Robbie Downey who was aboard the successful five-year-old Piccolo gelding for the initial occasion here.

Larkin reflected: "He's been a long time trying to do that. He's been placed more times and it's long overdue.

"If you look through his form every horse behind or in front of him has won since. I'm delighted for Breen White who has been a good owner.

"I thought he was beat - I would have bet any money but I'm not going to complain."

The Stewards fined A.J. Whelan, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Toffee Tart (GB), in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.

J.T.Gorman, trainer of Rigid Rock reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his charge got upset in the starting stalls.

(GC & EM)