Friendless Ms collars the favourite

Msmilan got up in the final strides to deny favourite backers in the opener, the Broadsmill Sires EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle, at a wet Navan.

A good fourth on her debut at Clonmel last month, the Jessica Harrington trained five-year-old then finished a well-beaten fourth to She's Otto in a bumper at Gowran.

Available at 6/1 last night the daughter of Milan proved friendless with punters, going off a 14/1 chance.

Settled in mid-division by Paddy Kennedy she took closer order down the back and was fifth turning into the home straight.

She ridden from the second last and looked set for second after the final flight, however she stayed on best in the closing stages, getting up close home to win by a neck. West Bridge who was sent off the 15/8 favourite, looked the most likely winner after the last but she couldn't hold off Msmilan and she had to settle for second under Roger Loughran for Sandra Hughes. Floral Fantasy (9/2) completed the placings a further two and three parts of a length back in third under Mark Walsh for Enda Bolger. Ceylon came in for plenty of market support (7's last night and from 11/2 to 7/2 on-course) but she could only manage a disappointing seventh under Jody McGarvey for Patrick Prendergast.

Peace N'Milan was also well-backed (8's last night and from 11/2 to 9/2 on-course) and she finished fourth.

Jessica Harrington said afterwards: "She'd a good run in Clonmel but then the ground for a bumper in Gowran was too sticky. She was gutsy today, and the only one she missed was the last. It was getting a bit competitive, and she may have been a bit unsighted."

Michael O'Neill owns and bred the winner. He is from Rosscarbery, Co Cork and made his first visit to Navan for the race.

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards interviewed R. Loughran, rider of West Bridge, placed second, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that R. Loughran was in breach of Regulation 10 3 (f) in that he had used his whip with excessive frequency and having taken his record into account, they suspended him for 2 racedays.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee