EVERLASTING was the star of a treble for trainer Aidan O’Brien at Navan last Saturday as she grabbed a valuable blacktype success in the featured Darley Irish EBF Kooyonga Stakes.

The Kingman filly took a drop in class in the listed mile contest having been well-held in the Irish 1000 Guineas on her previous outing, and was sent to post a well-supported 10/11 shot.

Ryan Moore produced the hotpot to lead a furlong and a half from home and she repelled the challenge of Asian Daze inside the final furlong to secure a half-length victory.

Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong said afterwards: “Ryan gave her a lovely ride. Obviously she had a good run here in the Oaks trial over 10 furlongs (when third to Ezeliya).

“She’s in a few races at Ascot but we’ll see whether we give her a bit of time and look towards the summer, let her go up the grades and look to a Group 3.

“She’s a filly with an awful lot of talent and she’s still putting everything together. Once she puts it together there is a real good race in her down the line.”

Quick double

Moore went on to record a quick double on Old Faithful in the Tabor colours in the following TRI Equestrian Handicap over 10 furlongs.

The 9/4 favourite was nursed into the lead inside the final furlong to secure a neck success over Going Remote.

“He’s a horse that’s educating himself from race to race and we’re just bringing him along slowly,” said Armstrong.

“He’s a real strong traveller and Ryan gave him a lovely ride just to ease him into it.

“Once he puts everything together there is a real good pot in him. We’ll see how he is in the handicap now and possibly look at the Britannia in Ascot or a mile-and-a-quarter handicap.”

O’Brien introduced a smart-looking colt in the opening Lynn Lodge Stud Irish EBF Maiden but it was Wayne Lordan who was in the plate aboard newcomer Celtic Chieftain.

Quickened up

The No Nay Never colt went to post an 8/1 shot but quickened up stylishly inside the final furlong to collar Red Evolution close home for a neck success.

His stablemate Alfred Tennyson finished fifth under Moore. Armstrong said: “He’s a smart colt, he’s a typical No Nay Never with loads of natural speed.

“Wayne was very happy with him. He had been coming along nicely in the last few weeks at home, at this time of year you just have to get them out and see exactly where they fit in.

“Wayne thought he was still very green but once he grabbed a hold of him, he really stretched to the line and there is plenty of improvement in him. He has a good change of gear.

“We’ll see over the next week how he pulls up and comes through it but he could be in the Ascot mix as well, for something like the Windsor Castle.”

THE top-weight Thunderbear proved a class act in the Navan Racecourse Handicap over the minimum trip when quickening up smartly for Colin Keane to land the spoils.

Jack Davison’s charge, sent off a 5/1 shot, led just inside the final furlong to get the job done and record a convincing length-and-a-quarter win over Arnhem.

“He’s a legend, he’s been great for us and won a Group 3 in England last year for us,” said Davison of William Armitage’s gelding.

“He’s actually developing into a nice sprinter as he gets older. He had been a bit disappointing this season so it was nice to get him back into calmer waters and get the win.

“Hopefully we can build from here. We’ll pick his shots for the rest of the season.”

In the other sprint handicap on the card Keke also showed an impressive turn of foot to take the Gain The Advantage Series contest for Eddie Lynam.

Billy Lee gave the 13/8 favourite a confident hold up ride, producing him with a strong run inside the final furlong to lead close home and beat Eruption by half a length.

“Billy is good at getting them to relax. He kind of went to sleep and at halfway I was thinking we were in a bit of trouble but he picked up very well and pulled up strong,” said Lynam.

“He’s got to learn how to race and get everything right. It’s nice to have another winner for Andrew Cohen.”

MO Ghille Mar gained compensation having been disqualified on her last outing when running out a narrow winner of the median auction fillies’ maiden.

Jessica Harrington’s charge had been first past the post in handicap company at Leopardstown last month but lost the race in the stewards’ room after veering left a furlong from home.

Shane Foley kept the 9/4 favourite to the fore throughout and after seeing off the challenge of Declaree inside the final furlong, she held the late charge of Cancelled to secure a head success.

“Shane said she wasn’t doing a whole lot in front. It didn’t work out, we wanted to follow but there was no pace and she was just left there but she’s won now which is great,” said Harrington.

“It’s great for them (owners OTI Racing and Brosnan Racing) having had the disappointment the last day.”

Opened account

In the concluding Cusack Hotel Handicap over the same 10-furlong trip, Mayo For Sam opened her account in good style for Ado McGuinness.

Adam Caffrey, riding out his 5lb claim, was to the fore throughout on the well-backed 7/1 joint-favourite and she kicked on over a furlong out to score by three and a half lengths. “That’s his 5lb gone, he gave it a great ride as we were drawn wide,” said McGuinness.

“I suppose Mayo had to win something at some stage! They are a bunch of Mayo lads (Linden Bloodstock) that have her and they are a great bunch of lads. They stuck with her as she was a little but frustrating starting off.

“She’s in at Leopardstown on Thursday and more than likely she’ll rock up again if she gets in.” She actually didn’t run there but is entered for Leopardstown next Thursday.