INDIANA Jones (137) has certainly taken time to show his best form over fences, but he now appears to have found his niche as he recorded back-to-back victories with a first success at graded level courtesy of victory in the Grade 3 Flying Bolt Chase at Navan.

Admittedly, the time figure was on the slow side with the early exchanges lacking any verve as Danny Mullins attempted to control the race from the front on Ha D’or (135).

However, with stable companion Flame Bearer (125) in close attendance from halfway, at least 6.3secs quicker over the final lap of the Co Meath track.

Darragh O’Keeffe was content to ensure his mount remained near the pace setters without being involved in the race before the home straight.

Mounting his challenge on the approach to the final fence, his partner gave their supporters one final heart stopping moment as he landed steeply at the fence before striding clear on the run-in to complete his race from the third last fence in 47.4secs.

In comparison, Kalli’s Quest (111) covered the same ground in 49.0secs and Motown Maggie (90+), who was afforded the luxury of a slow early gallop off which to challenge, stopped the clock at 48.0secs.

Tight finishes

It was an afternoon of tight finishes over hurdles, although in terms of performances on the clock, Prince Zaltar (128) was clear of the other winners on the day despite being the slowest through the closing stages.

Phillip Rothwell’s six-year-old could have been counted an unlucky loser had he not overhauled Music Of Tara (128) as jockey Paddy O’Hanlon needed his wits about him to avoid a faller at the final hurdle in the back straight.

Once straightened for home. the Irish Grand National winning jockey guided his mount to a closing sectional of 44.2secs.

The quickest finish of the day was clocked by surprise 100-1 winner We Got This (102+), as she also showed her nimbleness to avoid a faller late in the day on the way to stopping the clock at 42.4secs.

For the record, Grappa Nonino (111) was the closest to Prince Zaltar on the overall times, finishing off his race in 43.5secs while Western Walk (100) covered the same ground in 43.4secs although was the slowest of the four hurdle winners overall.

Leopardstown

Fils D’oudairies (147) clocked the only notable time of the opening day of the two-day fixture at Leopardstown as Davy Russell produced his mount in the home straight to head a fading Saint Sam (143), who simply went too fast for his own good down the back straight.

Gordon Elliott’s gelding stopped the clock for his sectional at 75.0secs, which was 0.4secs slower than Jumping Jet (102) who covered the same ground in 84.6secs, while Gaoth Chuill (100) and Parmenion (112) finished off their races in 84.0secs and 83.7secs respectively.