Connections celebrate with Blueberry Gal in Navan© Photo Healy Racing
Veteran Calm Bay put up a bold bid to repeat last year's success in the five furlong apprentice handicap at Navan but in the end he gave best to Blueberry Gal
Calm Bay was fast away from stall one and held the prime spot along the rail in front. Blueberry Gal and Ana O'Brien raced in third, behind Calm Bay and Little Sweetheart
Little Sweetheart travelled well to pick up lead a furlong and a half from home but he was quickly faced with a challenge from Blueberry Gal on his outside. Calm Bay was relegated to third and came under the whip.
Inside the furlong pole Blueberry Gal answered O'Brien's urgings and led narrowly from Little Sweetheart, however, Calm Bay was battling along the rail and moved into second close home.
He couldn't quite reel in Blueberry Gal who scored by half a length at 16/1 from the 12/1 shot. Danz Gift (7/1 from 10s in the morning) came through to pip Little Sweetheart for third.
"That's a nice surprise. She probably didn't stay the last day in Roscommon and in general she has been quite disappointing this year," Michael Grassick said.
"She's in foal to Slade Power and we were expecting her to run better. This was really her last chance as she only has until July 10th.
"She'd been running so poorly we said this was her last run. We said we'd try Ana on her and she gave her a great ride. She seemed to go for her.
"On her form last year she was entitled to win and the handicapper has give her every chance.
"She's retired now and will go to the sales in December. She's from a good family and is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Esentepe." Ginger Muffin was Italian Natalia Lupini's first runner as a trainer and came home 11th under Christina Simpson. Battleroftheboyne the 5/2 favourite, couldn't land a blow in eighth.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
