Review NAVAN 7TH JAN

David Casey has enjoyed a successful time since returning from long-term injury in the autumn, and moved onto the 24 winner mark when partnering a double on Bob Hall and Of Course.

Bob Hall upset the odds of 1/6 laid on Nicanor in the two miles novice hurdle as David Wachman's charge finished strongly on the stands side to deny the hot-pot by a head.

'He quickened up well over the final two hurdles and we'll find another novice for him. He's game and jumped well,' said Frank Berry, representing winning owner J P McManus.

Casey was again seen to good effect aboard Of Course in the 2m6f maiden hurdle, drawing clear with Mcevoy in the straight before prevailing by a neck.

'The longer trip today was a help and he likes soft ground. Hopefully he can pick up another this season and he looks a chaser in the making,' said trainer Willie Mullins.

Casey and Mullins were also fancied to take the mares beginners chase with Sunami Storm but the 9/10 favourite was no match in the straight for Carrigeen Kalmia.

Trained by Dick Lalor and ridden by his daughter Liz, recording her first chase win and fifth in all under rules, the 7yo mare made most to beat Jay Lo by eight lengths.

Nicanor's trainer and rider, Noel Meade and Niall Madden, went one better in the opening two miles maiden hurdle with Jazz Messenger.

A runner-up on his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse on New Years Day, the French import headed the front-running Earth Magic over the final flight and kept on well to beat that rival by 1L.

'He just struggled a bit on that ground. It may have come a bit quick after Fairyhouse and he'll be a nice horse on better ground,' said Meade.

Meade later completed a double when the Nina Carberry-ridden Riccardo beat fellow newcomer Jet Propelled (rider lost whip in the straight) by 3/4L.

Laureldean has proved a good money-spinner for local trainer Michael Cunningham in recent weeks, and completed a hat-trick in the 2m1f handicap chase.

Barry Geraghty sent the the 4/5 favourite to the front two out, and was driven out to hold the renewed effort of San Angelo by two and a half lengths.

Zaffaran Lady was prominent throughout under Danny Howard in the 2m7f handicap hurdle, and the 7yo mare dug deep when challenged to beat Castle Hope by two lengths.

Alan Magee