Limestone Lad recorded his 32nd career win when taking the Morgiana Hurdle at Navan yesterday. The Bowe family's popular gelding adopted his usual front-running role in this four-runner event, transferred from the cancelled meeting at Punchestown 24 hours earlier.
The result was very much in doubt as Ballyhampshire Boy cruised alongside the 8/11 favourite at the second last, although Norman Williamson was just starting to niggle him along when crashing out at the final hurdle. This left 'Limestone' clear to beat Liss A Paoraigh by 11 lengths, and Michael Bowe said afterwards, 'Paul (Carberry) said he had the beating of him (Ballyhampshire Boy), but I would say we were lucky. The Hattons Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse is written in stone for his next race.'
English raider Behrajan proved a big disappointment in the Pierse Contracting Troytown Handicap Chase, where Takagi landed the spoils under Norman Williamson. Behrajan dropped out tamely before the straight, and Takagi headed the trail-blazing Lord Of The Turf approaching the last before staying on strongly on the run-in.
Williamson and trainer Edward O'Grady were also earlier on the mark with Cheltenham Festival Bumper winner Pizarro in the Tote Exacta Monksfield Novice Hurdle. The five-year-old maintained his unbeaten record when driven past Solerina at the final flight for a workmanlike success.
Alan Crowe and Christy Roche dominated the remainder of the card when teaming up for a treble with Silver Steel, Plenty Of Ice and Lost Time.
Meanwhile at Wexford, Petersham landed the rescheduled Craddockstown Novice Chase in the hands of Danny Howard. This Grade 3 contest was another switched from Punchestown's Saturday meeting, and a further alteration was necessary as the only fence in the straight was omitted from all chase races due to ground conditions. Petersham overhauled the pace-setting Albatros on the extended run-in to score by four and a half lengths.
Dark Magic may turn out again for a similar event at Naas on Saturday after defying top-weight under Ian Power in the three mile handicap chase. Paddy Fennelly's charge headed the front-running Gardrum Park at the last, and stayed on strongly to beat Jaguar Claw by seven lengths.
