BILLY Lee was in double winning form at Navan on Thursday afternoon. Town And Country initiated the brace when getting up close home to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. Sent off 15/2, the Henry de Bromhead-trained filly stayed on strongly to beat Snapdragon by a head.

Stable representative Robert Power said of the Nicola Roden and Siobhan Nolan-owned winner: “I’m delighted with that dropping back to five. The quicker ground probably suited her. She won her barrier impressively but was a bit disappointing at Naas. Billy likes her and hopefully she can progress from this.” 

Northern Sonas gave the Limerick jockey a second success when taking the Kilberry Handicap. Prominent throughout, the Canis Hamill-owned gelding led inside the final furlong to beat Preparations by half a length.

Nice grade

Trainer Andy Oliver said of the 3/1 winner: “He’s a lovely big straightforward horse who dropped into a nice grade and up in trip. It’s lovely ground and he got a very straight forward ride. Hopefully it’s onwards and upwards and we’ll see where we go from here.”

Luke McAteer made all on Runninsonofagun to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Optional Claiming Maiden. Owned by Ms Olive Walsh, the 9/4 chance stayed on well up the stiff Navan hill to prevail by three-quarters of a length.

Winning trainer Tony Mullins said: “A mile suited him and he looks to me like a tough and hardy handicapper. He could go for a mile nursery in Listowel. We bred him and have a full-brother and sister coming along.”

TRANSCENDENTAL was another to lead pillar to post, taking the Navan Racing Festival Early Bird Tickets On Sale Now Handicap under Robert Whearty.

Quickening over a furlong out, the Nigel O’Hare, Mark Devlin, Kabin Racing Syndicate and John A Donnelly-owned 11/8 favourite scored by three and three-quarter lengths.

Whearty said of the Gavin Cromwell-trained six-year-old: “I was expecting a bit more pace in the race. She winged the gates and travelled so there was no point in fighting her and taking her back I was comfortable the whole way and she’s won it well in the end.

“I won on her here back in April and the rising ground suits her. The owners are a great bunch of lads, and they get a great kick out of her.”

Favourite’s success

Hugh Horgan partnered 9/4 favourite Last Encore to win the opening Navan Racecourse Nursery Handicap for his boss, Joseph O’Brien. The Maxwell Morris-owned colt led over a furlong out, staying on well to win by one and a half lengths.

Stable representative Sean Corby reported: “He won well and showed a good attitude. He tried hard and it was good to get his head in front. I’d say the bit of better ground today suited him well. The last day in Sligo Dylan felt that he got a bit stuck in the soft ground.” 

OWNED and trained by Bill Durkan, Shigar won the Curragh To Curragh Charity Cycle On This Saturday Handicap. Chris Hayes led narrowly over 100 yards out before holding the late run of Sea Chariot by half a length.

Assistant trainer Gary Bannon said of the 13/2 winner: “He bled unfortunately after his race in Galway. I don’t know whether it was the ease in the ground that might have caused it.

“He’s been consistent all year and the handicapper has given him a chance and dropped him down 2lb to 80. He’s probably deserved to get his head in front. It’s great for Bill, that’s 10 for the year for us. We’re a small team and it’s brilliant.”

Staying strongly

Molly Hall provided rookie trainer Alan McIntyre with the third win of his career when taking the concluding Racing Next At Navan On Saturday 7th September Handicap. Leading throughout under Niall McCullagh, the 14/1 chance stayed on strongly to beat Enquire Within by three-quarters of a length.

McIntyre said of the Paul Dowling-owned mare: “Niall said everything went to plan, she broke well and he was able to get a breather into her down the back. She’s tough and she stays. She has a great attitude and I’d love to have her attitude with all the other horses we have. She’s mad up for a fight and grinds it out.

“She won over a mile and three for us and then we came back to a mile and one which was probably ill advised as it was a bit sharp for her. When I saw this mile and six I was just hoping for good ground as I thought she would take beating. I have 11 in training at the moment mainly for the flat and we have a couple of bumper horses.”