Review NAVAN 18TH FEB

Limestone Lad completed his domestic preparation for next month's Bonusprint Stayers Hurdle when he recorded another pillar-to-post success in the Boyne Hurdle.

Sent off at 2/9 (from 1/4), the Bowe family money-spinner was a little untidy on more than one occasion but his heart was truly in the right place when he came home clear of Boss Doyle.

Catch Ball, receiving 18lbs, looked a big threat to James Bowe's 9yo coming down to the 2nd last but she suffered a crashing fall here under Ruby Walsh.

Locally born Shane McGovern, who partnered Limestone Lad, said, 'I was happy enough with him. He relaxes a lot more these days but when the others close on him he picks up well.'

Michael Bowe, son of permit holder James, said, 'I don't think he was as fit as he was when he won this race last year. He's well in himself and he had to win today to jusify favouritism in the stayers hurdle.'

'I'll take him to Leopardstown on March 4th to work after racing,' said Bowe whose charge is unchanged at 9/2 fav. for the Stayers Hurdle with Cashmans.

Arctic Copper (4/5-2/5f) justified strong support when scoring for the Grand Alliance Racing Club, local handler Noel Meade and Ruby Walsh in the 3m novice chase.

The 17 strong racing club comprises 3 Cabinet ministers namely, Frank Fahy, Brian Cowen and Jim McDaid and they'll head to Cheltenham with their pride and joy for the Royal & Sunalliance Chase.

'He has to go now and I'd say he'll be better on better ground. Since his first run that was his best effort,' said Meade.

The 3m chase was marred by the tragic death of Edward O'Grady's Malabar when he was pulled up with a broken shoulder after a bad blunder 7 out.

Earlier Jim Gorman's Squasquas was also put down after breaking his shoulder.

The 10/1 chance was still travelling well when he fell 3 out in a race that went to Golden Storm (4/1-9/2-7/2) and Barry Geraghty.

Norman Williamson, who had a weekend to forget, stood himself down for the rest of the day (badly shaken).

Arthur Moore saddled the first two home in the 2m4f handicap chase when last year's scorer More Than A Stroll (2/1f) and Conor O'Dwyer battled back to pip Feathered Leader on the line.

Both horses will be entered for the Mildmay Of Fleet at Cheltenham next month, according to Moore.

Adrian Lane (19) from Galway recorded his first success over hurdles to bring his tally to 3 under rules when he scored aboard 10/1 chance Angela's Way, trained by his boss Christy Roche.

Beausheram (10/3) and Alan Crowe got first run on the rails to upset another Willie Mullins-trained newcomer Hedgehunter (5/4f), who failed to quicken for James Nash when the tempo increased after the 2f pole.

* Nick Dundee, a casualty at Gowran on Saturday, will be entered for the Newlands Chase 2m at Naas next Sunday. 'The horse is fine. We are keeping our options open with him and he may run next weekend,' said Edward O'Grady.

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