Rebel proves tough in Navan opener

Rebel Tale produced a tough performance from the front, as he made virtually all in the opener at Navan this afternoon, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden.

An eye-catching fourth on debut at Naas last month, the Andy Slattery trained chestnut proved easy to back on-course, opening at 4s before going off an 11/2 chance.

Drawn on the rail in stall one, the Tale Of The Cat colt was soon in front under Ben Coen.

He was joined approaching halfway, but lead again when ridden over a furlong out, keeping on well from there to score by three parts of a length.

Newcomer Latin Five (10/1) kept on well to take second under Shane Crosse for Joseph O'Brien, while fellow debutant Formyboys (13/2) was a neck away in third, with Gary Halpin aboard this one for Michael O'Callaghan. Roxette was the well-backed 7/2 favourite (from 9/2 on-course and 8s early), and she finished fourth.

The Aidan O'Brien trained Flower Garland also came in for strong market support (12s into 11/2), and she was fifth after not having much luck in running.

The winner, who is owned by Pat Garvey, is American bred and was purchased for 37,000 dollars as a yearling at Keeneland in September.

His dam, Purr And Prowl, is a half-sister to Arch Rebel who won eight times for Garvey and Noel Meade, with four of his wins coming at Listed level, while he was just denied in Group 2 at Longchamp in 2007.

Brian Slattery, brother of the winning trainer, said afterwards: "He's a lovely horse. Pat (Garvey) bought him in America and he qualified for one of these auction maidens so it was brilliant to get a win into him.

"When we step him up in trip we think there is a lot of improvement to come. He's very willing and very tough. He just wants to please and has a great temperament.

"We like him a lot and we just have to speak to Mr Garvey and see where we go from here."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson