Briar made to battle in Grade 1 match

Briar Hill sent off the 1/4 favourite in a match for the Grade 1 Navan Novice Hurdle, duly did the business but had to work in the end after a couple of sloppy jumps put him under pressure.

Ruby Walsh made all the running on the Cheltenham bumper winner, who was having just his second outing over hurdles.

There was a bit of drama mid-race as his rival Azorian ran off the bend entering the back-straight but he soon made up the lost ground.

Davy Russell sent his mount up to tackle the Willie Mullins-trained hotpot at the third last and Briar Hill was untidy at that flight.

Walsh soon asked Andrea Wylie's charge for an effort as Azorian travelled better on his outside.

The hotpot wasn't great at the penultimate flight either but his class soon started to tell as he engaged top gear.

Azorian wasn't able to live with him in the closing stages as he flew the last and powered home for a four-and-three-quarter length success.

“It was a tactical race and we weren't sure if Azorian would jump off in front or drop in. Our fella proved in Wexford that he was able to jump in front,” said Mullins.

“He's a lovely relaxed individual and he stays. He could go out to three miles if we want. I'd imagine we'll be looking at two-and-a-half miles or longer. He seems to have loads of stamina.

“Christmas might come a bit too soon and we could possibly look at the Slaney Hurdle at Naas in January.

“He's closely related to Boston Bob. Last year he showed nothing at home but this year he's showing at home what he's doing on the track.”

Mullins admitted he has a seriously strong hand in the novice hurdle division:- “This is definitely the best crop of novice hurdlers I've ever had. They are all fit and healthy and hopefully we can keep them like that.”

The withdrawals of the Noel Meade-trained pair, Apache Stronghold and Very Wood, had reduced the field to two and Mullins reflected:-

“It was very unfortunate for Noel. Horses can be like that. They just go wrong on the day you want them and they'd be right the rest of the year.

“It was unfortunate for Noel and for Navan the way things worked out.”

Ruby Walsh told At The Races: - "He only does the bare minimum and I suppose that's a good thing - horses that aren't exuberant tend to last longer.

"When he heard Davy [Russell, on the runner-up] coming up behind him at the third last he quickened up and when he was on his own again going to second last he slowed down, but that's him.

"I thought I was riding the best horse and you try and keep it as simple as you can, so I went a good gallop, but Davy didn't seem to be having an easy time - he was heading for the chase track when I saw him. I suppose horses that are a bit flighty tend to get even flightier on a windy day like this.

"It was the same as at Wexford, when I got hold of him going to the last he really picked up, but good horses do that."

Walsh was non-committal over future targets for Briar Hill, adding: "He's not slow, but I'd say we've every option with him. I'll leave it up to Willie - he'll train them and I'll just ride them."

Paddy Power left the winner unchanged at 12/1 for the Neptune Hurdle at Cheltenham and on 10/1 for the Albert Bartlett. Boylesports are also unchanged at 10/1 for both.

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)