Review NAVAN 10TH DEC

Solerina shrugged off the worries of a tough race at Fairyhouse last Sunday to easily land the Giltspur Scientific Tara Hurdle for the third successive year.

The front-running Toulon mare adopted her customary role in this Grade 2 contest, closely followed by chief market rival Emotional Moment.

However the writing was on the wall as Barry Geraghty started to push along his mount to keep in touch approaching the straight, and Solerina drew clear after three out to score by 20L.

'Gary (Hutchinson) said he was happy the whole way with her. She's been eating up well all week and is really remarkable for such a small mare,' said owner John Bowe.

He added, 'There are just three races that suit her each season over 2m4f and they all come within a month. If she doesn't go for the 3m at Leopardstown over Christmas, then we will go for a 2m3f race at Naas on January 21.'

Missed That got his chasing career back on track when justifying 6/4 favouritism under David Casey in the 2m4f beginners event.

The Cheltenham Festival Bumper winner proved a big disappointment on his chasing debut at Thurles but jumped much better here, getting the better of Lordofourown on the run-in as the pair pulled 25 lengths clear of the remainder.

'David schooled him again since Thurles and, as he jumped much better, we came here with a bit more confidence. I was very disappointed coming home from Thurles but he's back on track now,' said Willie Mullins.

'We probably minded him a bit at Thurles where he went wide all the way round, so we decided to throw him into the race today and get horses around him. We'll look for something now around Christmas, maybe a winners of one.'

Michael Darcy partnered his seventh winner in the past fortnight when Ennistown Lady just held the late challenge of Tragic Lover by a head in the Irish Racing Yearbook Handicap Hurdle.

'A two miles handicap on a stiff track suits her and, as she's never been better, we'll keep her on the go,' said trainer Robbie Burns.

Darcy and Johnny Allen were both warned by the stewards to ride with more care after the 3m handicap hurdle in which Allen's mount Risetotheoccasion just came out on top.

Albert Mooney earned a 25/1 quote for the Supreme Novices Hurdle from Sean Graham after leading two out under J P Magnier in the 2m maiden hurdle and holding on by 1/2L from favourite Celtic Sammy.

'He was a very good bumper horse but has taken a while to come to hand this season. I will find a novice for him in about a month, and I'd imagine he'll improve alot from that run,' said David Wachman.

Killeaney was all the rage for the 3m handicap chase, and the Philip Carberry-ridden gelding justified the confidence with some style going clear in the straight for an easy 6L verdict over One Four Shannon.

Noel Meade followed up his two high profile winners at Cheltenham by taking the valuable winners bumper with Back To Bid (Jason McKeown).

Alan Magee