CHRIS Timmons sent out the first double of his training career at Navan on Tuesday afternoon. Step Back In Time initiated the brace when making all under Colin Keane to win the opening Return Of The Flat At Navan Handicap.
Sent off 9/2, the Siobhan Tolerton owned mare kept on well to score by a length and three quarters. Timmons said: “She travelled really well and Colin said she was in her comfort zone all the way.
“She had slipped down to a very competitive mark and it is good for her confidence to get her head in front. We always thought she would probably do better than she has done so far, but last year just didn’t go to plan. She came back to us this year looking great and we have been very happy with her.”
Blown away
Hurricane Helen brought up the Timmons double when landing the Book Your Navan Summer BBQ Packages Apprentice Handicap under Robert Whearty.
Carrying the colours of Derek Dunne, the grey mare led over a furlong out before going on to win by one and three-quarter lengths. Timmons said of the 11/1 chance: “I was a little bit worried that a mile and two here might just stretch her.
“She’s a strong-travelling mare and Rob was comfortable most of the way he said. He was just trying to hang on to her just to see if she could last out the last half a furlong. He said she got a bit lonely. It is indeed (first double) and it is fantastic.
“I thought after winning the first we might have used up all our luck! When they are running well, that is all you can ask for. I’m happy with the bunch of horses we have, we are a little bit behind with a frozen gallop for a week here and there. They are all coming along in their own time.”
Doubling up
Robert Whearty was also completing a double having landed the Enjoy Hospitality At Navan Racecourse Handicap aboard The Truant. Sent off 12/1, the Paul Flynn-trained eight-year-old stayed on strongly to win by one and a half lengths.
Flynn reported: “He actually surprised us a little bit. He was second in the Curragh in a two-mile handicap last year. I hope the race is still there and we will try and get into that. He doesn’t mind a cut either, so he’s a great summer horse.
“He’s versatile and, the way they water anyway, you are going to have to be. He hasn’t improved dramatically and I don’t think it was probably the best contest but it was ideal anyway. They (Thirteen Apostles Racing Syndicate) will need a new liver now!”
MISSISSIPPI River won the Vintage Crop Raceday April 26th (C&G) Maiden under Jack Cleary. The Aidan O’Brien-trained 5/4 favourite made most of the running, before keeping on well to beat Zahrann a head.
Stable representative Chris Armstrong said of the Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor and Peter Brant-owned colt: “Jack gave him a lovely ride. It is the first time we have had him on quick ground since his debut in Naas and it is probably what he has been crying out for - good ground and up in trip to a mile.
“In fairness now, when the others came to him and challenged, he was strong at the finish. He will probably go for something like the Blackwater (Handicap) at Naas and just let him come through the ranks.”
Saturn came from last to first to claim the Cusack Hotel Group Family Fun Day July 13th Handicap.
Ridden by Scott McCullagh, the Jessica Harrington-trained 5/1 chance overcame a layoff to win by a neck for owners the Niarchos Family.
Assistant trainer Kate Harrington said: “He does stay well. I feel a bit emotional getting him back because he was all set to go to the Ebor and he had a little bit of a setback, and we were lucky to keep him. It is a testament to the vets at Anglesey Lodge that he is here.
“He’s big and strong and is still a full horse. I think we are only starting to see the best of him. He was a very, very playful young horse and today, professional-wise, he was a different horse. I’d imagine he will end up in one of the staying races at Royal Ascot. I hope we have a very exciting season with him.”
JOHNNY Murtagh and Ben Coen won the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 3yo Spring Series Median Auction Maiden with Dakota Blue (pictured). Carrying the colours of Paul Smith, the 7/4 chance led over a furlong out, keeping on to score by one and three-quarter lengths.
Murtagh said: “He was rated 90 coming into a race like that. He had been going well and Ben was happy with his last piece of work. His form was pretty good, the maidens he ran in were good.
“The Curragh was a good one and even the last day when he was second in Dundalk, I thought he might win that race, but it looked like a smart horse won that day. A mile and a quarter is good for him, he likes fast ground. He might even get a mile and a half.”
Learning on the job
Junkyard Dog was well supported 5/1(from 11/1) before landing the concluding Bective Restaurant Handicap. Dylan Browne McMonagle was on board the Joseph O’Brien-trained gelding, who carried the colours of Annemarie O’Brien.
McMonagle reported of the one-and-three-quarter-length winner: “He’s a horse that is learning on the job. There was plenty of speed early and it set up good for us.
“I was able to get a nice, smooth run down the outside. He had a good look, I got there plenty early on him, but he was tough. Definitely up in trip today was a big help.”