Monaghan handler Oliver Brady stole the show at Navan with his now customary post race winners enclosure ritual after Kenilworth prevailed under John Cullen.
Shouts of 'Up Monaghan' bellowed around the packed parade ring as Brady led his charge over to the crowd,'Without these people we wouldn't be here,' he shouted, 'you can all give him a pat.'
The race itself was a credit to the Wexford-born Cullen who poached a couple of lengths advantage over the penultimate flight and kept on well under a determined drive to hold Harchibald with Stacummy Bridge (5/2-9/4f) only 3rd.
'I'm glad I've come to Navan today as this is where I saddled my first winner. I'll be looking at Fairyhouse and Punchestown with this fellow but I wouldn't rule out Liverpool or even going back on the flat either with this fellow,' said Brady.
Jasmin D'Oudairies, the horse which landed trainer Willie Mullins in hot water with the Punchestown stewards last December, came out on top in the 2m1f novice chase in the hands of David Casey.
Mullins, adjudged to have used the racetrack as a training ground on that occasion, was fined 600 and rider Sam Curling suspended for 10 days after the 6yo finished 5th behind Nearly A Moose.
But it was a different story this time as the horse, who was having his first run since picking up a 42 day ban at the Kildare track, led over the last and stayed on well to defeat Goldstreet.
'That's a nice surprise,' said Mullins afterwards, 'He did work well during the week but I didn't think he would be good enough against some of these previous winners. We'll find a winners chase next.'
Ruby Walsh, successful aboard Nil Desperandum in the novice hurdle, followed up later when he teamed up with his father Ted's Rince Ri to take the An Uimh Chase.
Winner now of 5 races at Navan, future plans are still vague. 'He's in at Fairyhouse and Aintree but if the ground dries out he'll be going nowhere, ' said Walsh Snr.
Edward O'Grady's Go Roger Go (2/1-6/4f) proved a big disappointment when he could finish only sixth after some untidy jumping in the closing stages. Well backed stable-companion Albatros (9/4-6/4f) filled the same place in the novice chase.
Walsh finished his session on a winning note and completed a wonderful treble in the process when he teamed up with Winning Dream to score a facile success for Rathcoole permit holder Oliver McKiernan in the 2m1f handicap chase.
Gerry Keane's 3 time point-to-point winner Howaya Pet repeated her recent CD success when she scored again for Shane McCann in the 3m handicap hurdle while Brave Inca and PJ Colville won the finale in impressive fashion.
