McBratney's Singer wins under 'top class' ride

The Colin McBratney trained The Jazz Singer scored a second career win, both at Navan, today when landing the Meath Farm Machinery Handicap Hurdle under jockey Paul Townend.

The son of Tobougg gained his maiden win at the venue in September and while well held at Punchestown in October, bounced back today and benefitted from a well timed challenge to beat Futuramic by a neck.

Afterwards Galway Plate winner trainer McBratney stated “Paul gave him a great ride - top class.

“He likes it around here. I ran him in Punchestown over two miles because Paul (Townend) thought the previous day here he didn’t jump slick enough for a handicap. He also thought a run over a shorter distance wouldn’t do him any harm to sharpen his jumping and he was brilliant today, travelled away and arrived at the right time.

“I don’t know whether he’ll go on proper winter ground but we’ll keep tipping away until we find out.

“The owner Clare Moore is from England and I’ve just sold him to her in the past two weeks. She couldn’t get here today but she’ll be well pleased.”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson