Vilman, left, picks up the lead upon leaving the stalls© Photo Healy Racing
Vilman made all in the mile and five handicap at Navan to give the Aga Khan, Mick Halford and Shane Foley a winner on this afternoon's card.
The son of Mastercraftsman was on a recovery mission after being turned over at odds-on in his seasonal reappearance at Limerick. This was a further step up in trip from the mile and three he encountered there.
The 13/8 second favourite was nudged up to lead upon leaving the stalls. He was tracked in single file in this four-runner contest by Masterchippy (11/8f), Jack Blue and Terracotta
At the top of the hill with three furlongs left Foley started to push Vilman along. He drew the whip approaching the two pole but still maintained the lead.
Masterchippy closed up on him under a drive from Chris Hayes coming to the final furlong but he could make no further headway and dropped to third under 150 yards from home.
Jack Blue (7/1) stormed down the outside and took second from Masterchippy but couldn't get on terms with Vilman who found plenty for Foley. He got to within three quarters of a length at the line.
“He's still quite green and race lazily. Once they came around him and Shane caught a hold of him he was always going to last out,†said Halford.
“He stays well, has plenty of size and scope and can only improve.
“He holds an entry in the July Sales at Newmarket and may go there. He's also in the Ulster Derby next weekend and we might have a look at that. We'll get him home and see how he is.â€
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
