At a Navan meeting where finding winners was challenging at times, Better Than Heaven was another to upset the odds when taking division one of the Rathkenny Handicap Hurdle at 33/1.

The six-year-old gelding was friendless in the market having been beaten a combined total of over 240 lengths in three maiden hurdle starts but turned his fortunes around at the first attempt in handicap company.

Hugh Morgan, who was completing a whopping 577/1 cross meeting double having won earlier aboard reserve Toor Moment at Wexford, sent him to the front approaching the final flight.

The John Flavin-trained gelding needed to be driven right out by the in-form Morgan, partnering his second double this week and tenth winner of the season, to hold off the late surge of Time And Times by a head. Mezyan was two lengths back in third with Arch Melody in fourth.

Flavin said, "It was his first time in a handicap. He didn't like the soft ground the last day but on the better ground today he travelled and jumped away.

“I'd say it was a very bad race. I don't think it will be one you'll be thinking about in a year's time with loads of form horses coming out of it but the job is done.”

(GC & AM)