Swift victory for birthday boy Nicholson

Swift opened her account at the fifteenth attempt under rules when scoring at the rewarding odds of 20/1 in the Meath Handicap Hurdle at Navan. Bective Cave set a strong pace in this 2m4f event and soon built up a sizeable lead, although he was reeled in before the straight.

Mark Enright produced Swift to lead approaching the final flight and, despite a slight mistake, kept on well on the run-in for a decisive success.

The John Nicholson-trained mare had two and a quarter lengths to spare over Calin Des Ongrais at the line. Slicker City was a further three quarters of a length away in third, with Cant Wait finding no extra back in fourth.

Nicholson, who celebrated his 63rd birthday on Thursday, said “It’s great for the lads who own her. They are a new syndicate from Tipperary. We will find something similar for her.”