Ottoman Emperor annexes his hat-trick

Ottoman Emperor brought up his hat-trick in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race over 10 furlongs in Navan.

He tracked front-running Matchless who gave best inside the two pole when smooth-travelling Tazaral picked it up.

Ottoman Emperor was soon scrubbed along by Shane Kelly to try and close on Tazaral and his mount wore him down racing past the furlong marker.

He went on in the closing stages to score by a length and three quarters at 4/1 from 2/1 favourite Tazaral.

Jockey Shane Kelly said: “He's a nice horse, he's on the improve and seems to be getting better with racing.

“He's exciting and he loves to battle. He's a bit idle but then something comes to him and he loves to fight.

“I'd say he's a very nice horse and I think he's going to do big things. He'll probably stay further as well.

“You'd like to have him going forward anyway.”

Johnny Murtagh 's Ottoman Emperor won a median auction maiden at Cork before following up in a handicap at Gowran Park.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson