Mount Colah and Noel McParlan jump the last © Photo Healy Racing
Front-running tactics continued to reap benefits at Navan today as Mount Colah ran his rivals ragged in the two-mile handicap hurdle.
Noel McParlan gave the Beneficial gelding an enterprising ride and set off in front, soon opening up a healthy advantage.
The pacemaker looked like he might be in trouble as he came back entering the straight and 3/1 favourite Barneys Honour closed on to his tail at the second last.
McParlan had kept a bit up his sleeve, however, and asserted again on his mount before the final flight.
He kept Jerry Cosgrave's charge up to his work on the run-in to post a seven-and-a-half length victory. Barneys Honour just repelled Florimund for the runner-up spot.
The winner, who had led them for a long way in a decent conditions event at Leopardstown last time before fading, had been backed at 15/2 this morning and was returned 4/1 second choice on course.
“Chasing will really be his game and he needs that ground,” said Cosgrave afterwards.
“They just gave him enough room that he could get switched off. Noel gave him a good ride and he was able to fill him up again before the straight.”
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
