Navan was called off after four races with the state of the ground causing concern at the County Meath track.

The decision was taken "in the interests of safety" after several instances of horses slipping in mid-race, which prompted a delegation of officials and jockeys to inspect the course.

Noel Meade, who was due to saddle the favourite Silver Tassie in the fifth race, the feature Albany Hurdle, was involved in the discussions and was fully supportive of the decision.

Meade told At The Races: "The ground got very firm in the summer, they watered to make it as good as they could, but the water just penetrated the top two inches. Under that it is very firm, so they were knocking the top off it and just sliding."

When action did take place, Andrew McNamara gave Fantasy King a confident ride in the Navan Maiden Hurdle and Charles O'Brien's seven-year-old responded with a ready victory.

The 4-1 shot arrived on the scene full of running but the jockey was at pains to play his hand late and waited until after the final flight before asking for an effort, at which point Fantasy King cleared away to win by an easy length and a half.

Davy Russell looked to have plenty of horse under him as he led all the way down the straight on Minella Fiveo in the Slane Maiden Hurdle, and the John Nallen-trained 9-10 favourite found plenty for a comfortable victory by five and a half lengths.

Martin Brassil's 11-4 favourite Celestial Prospect ran out a convincing winner of the Racing Again Wednesday 9th October Handicap Hurdle by three and three-quarter lengths after being brought with a steady run by Ruby Walsh on his only ride of the day.

John Morrison's 15-2 chance Invincible Don was always prominent under Paddy Mangan in the Kells Handicap Hurdle and took it up at the second-last before scooting clear on the run-in to score by seven and a half lengths.