Racing at Navan today got under way with the 2011 Navan Membership 'The Ideal Christmas Gift' Maiden Hurdle, won by the Dessie Hughes trained Mackeys Forge under Roger Loughran.

The meeting passed an early morning inspection and, while five of the six non-runners in the first race were due to 'ground conditions', the official ground was 'Soft' and the opening race was run without any problems, despite a light covering of snow.

Following Mackeys Forge's win, Hughes stated "the horse which beat him the last day (Oscars Well at Punchestown) is highly regarded so we were hoping he could pick up a maiden hurdle."

He added "he should make a nice chaser in time and he is more of staying type than a two miler."

Thomas Weekes