Review NAVAN 10TH JAN

Derawar, who went into the featured Proudstown Handicap Hurdle at Navan on Saturday as a maiden, chose an excellent race to gain his initial victory as the Arthur Moore-trained four-year-old caused a 12/1 surprise.

Better fancied stable-companion Mansony (mud in his trachea, on post race examination) could only manage seventh, whilst well-supported market-leader Strife Leader was also disappointing.

Moore attributed the win to the step-up in distance and a quick reappearance is now on the cards over a two furlong shorter trip at Down Royal on Thursday.

Conor O'Dwyer aboard Mansony, more than made amends for that disappointment later in the afternoon, partnering a double.

Like A Bee, a bumper winner last time, successfully graduated to the jumping game in the long distance maiden hurdle. The three-parts brother to Like-A-Butterfly, showed excellent reserves of stamina under O'Dwyer for a four and a half length win.

The veteran rider made it two in the following handicap chase. With both the J P McManus-owned runners coming to grief at the first, the field was reduced to just seven.

Cadou Royal looked to have a fair task on his plate when strongly pressed by Backdoor Champion between the last two but asserted his authority on the run in to double Arthur Moore's score.

Indeed the duo were expected to complete a hat-trick in the beginners chase. Here they combined with 4/5 favourite, I Got It, but the French-bred proved no match for Joueur D'Estruval after two out.

Willie Mullins' charge was completing a brace for rider David Casey. The Carlow handler was an absentee at Ascot, but his wife Jackie said 'he loves the soft and will now go for a winners of one.'

Casey got the ball rolling in the opener. Here in the maiden hurdle, Allaboveboard's front running tactics appeared to have found most of her rivals out. However Old Flame (4/1 into 9/4), as the market suggested, hit the front before the last and drew on for a four length success.

Winning handler Charlie Swan afterwards said 'it probably wasn't the hottest race in the world but he jumps well and he'll go for a winners of one somewhere now. He handles almost any going and will make a chaser next year.'

Ger Lyons has always thought quite a bit of Pedina, and after a win last time, the son of Toulon went further to living up to his potential by overturning Demophilos in the novice hurdle. Despite pecking at the last, Robbie Colgan's mount showed plenty of stamina to race away to a two length victory.

Lyons, who is a big fan of the successful pilot, commented afterwards 'we'll take it gently gently with this fellow, and he'll only have one or two more runs this term. Chasing will be his game next season and he'll pop a fence before he is left off for the summer.'

John Rice, banned for seven days for insufficient effort when runner-up aboard Quarryfield Lass at Naas last Sunday made amends when the same mare took the bumper in good style.