It was a case of the calm before the storm at Navan on Saturday but for champion rider Ruby Walsh the day provided him with a welcome change of luck when he returned to winning ways, courtesy of a 15 to 1 double.
Off the track for nearly five months after breaking his shin in the Czech Republic, the twenty-year-old needed all of his strength in the Balinlough Maiden Hurdle to force Gabby Hayes, trained by his father Ted, past Starry Night and Garrett Cotter on the uphill climb to the winning post to land the spoils by the minimum margin.
Walsh, who has a decent book of rides at the Cheltenham Festival next week including Rince Ri for his father in Thursday's Tote Gold Cup, followed up in the first division of the Ballivor Maiden aboard 3 to 1 shot The Next Step, trained by Willie Mullins.
Local handler Noel Meade finished the afternoon with a 153 to1 treble when Harbour Pilot got up in the dying strides under Robbie Burns to defeat Colonel Braxton and Tom Magnier in the finale.
Earlier, light-weight Halfpenny Bridge (Philip Carberry) swept into the lead approaching the final fence to scoop the featured EBF Novice Handicap Chase
Final before Paddy's Pet and Tommy Treacy followed up on his Fairyhouse January success with a four length victory in the Trim Handicap Chase.
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