Mr MacPhisto keeps his Navan rivals at bay in the hands of Ricky Doyle© Photo Healy Racing
Bred by his father Sean and owned by his son Eanna, Eoin Griffin's Mr MacPhisto kept them all at bay in the closing stages of the big field first division of the Bar One Racing Sign Up Offer Handicap Hurdle at Navan.
A gamble on Jinxs Link (7/2 favourite from 9/2 on track, and much bigger earlier) was sunk without trace as he beat only three home.
Up front meanwhile Ricky Doyle's mount Mr MacPhisto fought off Atlantic Wonder and Breagagh by one and a quarter lengths and a neck.
The winning trainer said afterwards: "A bit worried about the ground, but it is just about okay for him.
"We've missed a lot of the good ground with him, he just got a little bit held up after he was second down in Cork as he picked up a little bit of a knock.
"It is grand to get back on a winning track with him. Probably time is limited as he is a good-ground horse really. That ground might be on the better side of yielding than the softer side of yielding."
When asked if he could go to Listowel, he replied: "He's not in anything there. I think there is a two and a half there on Saturday and we might look at that. We'll see what way he comes out of it anyway."
J.W. Kennedy, rider of Up And Out trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount never travelled.
E. Walsh, rider of Princess Sophia trained by Ciaran Murphy, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was reluctant to line up.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Jinxs Link, trained by M.M. Rice, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
(MG & EM)
