Next Bend registered his third career win, at Navan today, landing the Kilberry Restaurant Handicap Hurdle for Irish Grand National winning trainer Tom Gibney and jockey Jonathan Moore.

The son of Azamour was previously successful in a flat handicap at the same Co Meath venue on April 17, 2016 and today readily bridged that year-long losing spell when scoring a comfortable nine lengths win over Russian Roulette

Gibney, won win the Irish Grand National with Lion Na Bearnai in 2012, later commented “he handled the ground a bit better than I thought They probably went a bit quick, I'd say, and set it up for him sitting out the back.

“He won on the Flat here at the end of April last year so we might come back for that race all being well.”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson