Hogan delays New York trip to ride Navan winner

Favourite Moskovite (9/4) ran out a convincing winner of race two at Navan, the Club Active Gym Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Owned and bred by the Hennellys in Mayo, the grey was ridden here and is trained by Denis Hogan. Askann was disputing the lead when veering left and unseating Simon Torrens three out. Second market choice Little Light was done with from that point and she was soon hampered.

Meanwhile Moskovite wasn’t long about taking command.

The daughter of Flemensfirth knocked the second last out of her way, she was better at the last, and then asserted on the run-in to beat the staying-on Kingston Girl by five and a half lengths.

“I’m delighted with that and the Hennellys have been good to me. This one’s full-sister was meant to go to Boulta tomorrow for a four-year-old mares. She was better than this one and better than (half-sister) Moyhenna but she got hurt during the week and will probably be retired for breeding," said Hogan.

“This one is just like her dam (Moskova) as she toughs it out. At no stage was I running away through the race, she was a bit idle and down the back I was stoking her along but the further she goes the better.

“It’s beautiful jumping ground, and good to yielding if you ask me.

“She ran into one of Henry(de Bromhead)’s the last day. I think she can go places and there is a bit of Flemensfirth in her, a bit quirky but the engine is there.

“She had a mark of 116 which was interesting and I entered her in a handicap tomorrow. But the mares’ bonus scheme is worth five grand and it’s not to be missed when you can get it. It’s a great incentive for breeders and mares owners and there should be a lot more of them bonus schemes.

“Everything is going well and we had a winner last night. I was supposed to be going away for a few days to New York but I delayed it until Monday to ride this weekend.”

(AM & EM)