Julies Stowaway toughs it out in the bumper

Julies Stowaway finished strongest of all to land Navan's bumper for Mags and Patrick Mullins.

The pre-race hype focused on Gordon Elliott's track debutant Ballyadam who went off the 1/4 favourite after an impressive point-to-point success at Portrush in October.

Julies Stowaway was 5/1 'second in' with every other horse double-figure odds. Delvino and Danny Hand moved stylishly into the lead inside the final three furlongs and had Julies Stowaway chasing them at the two pole.

Ballyadam was ridden patiently and moved into third at this stage. He held every chance a furlong and a half down.

Newcomer Delvino proved a tough nut to crack but Julies Stowaway was ridden to get the better of him with 100 yards to race.

He kept on well to beat Delvino (14/1 from 33/1 in the morning) by one and a half lengths.

Try as he might, Ballyadam couldn't get on terms with the main protagonists at the business end and was a further three parts of a length away in third at the winning post.

Mags Mullins said: "He was beaten fair and square in his first two runs but ran two smashing races.

"He had a bad fall in a point-to-point the first day and had a cut behind his knee which set him back. He had to go to Fethard Clinic and they did a super job on him and he is flying since he came back.

"I'd say the ground at Limerick the last day he ran was worse than today and Patrick gave him a lovely ride today and I'm delighted for the lads who are good owners.

"We'll see in the morning what the plan is but I think he is a good horse long-term, I love him."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes