NAVAN REPORT: TRAINER NOEL Meade rattled off a superb 64 to 1 four-timer at Navan yesterday, thanks to wins from Pandorama, Watson Lake, Aran Concerto and Across The Bay.
Paul Carberry partnered the first three, with his sister Nina completing Meade's foursome.
The victory of Aran Concerto was particularly pleasing for the trainer as the seven-year-old was on the comeback trail after being sidelined for 20 months with a tendon injury.
The evens favourite started to make up for lost time with a sound display on his debut over fences in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners' Chase.
Given a typically confident Carberry ride, he joined eventual second Bronte Bay at the second-last and jumped the final obstacle in front before easing away for a seven-length success.
William Hill went 14 to 1 from 20s for the Royal and SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham, with Victor Chandler 12s from 20s.
"He got a bit tired. You are always worried with an injury like that. He had split a tendon and was at Newmarket for three months," said Meade.
"We're just pleased to have him back and we'll see how he is in the morning before we think about any plans.
"We nearly had him ready to run a few times last year, but it just didn't happen."
Watson Lake (8 to 1) recorded an emphatic success in the Ladbrokes.com Fortria Chase for his first win since February 2007.
The 10-year-old, who had been off the track for 18 months until returning at Punchestown last month, was not hard pressed to take this Grade Two prize.
He made virtually all the running and won unchallenged by four lengths from Slim Pickings, who stayed on well to finish the clear runner-up ahead of Mansony and Scotsirish.
"We decided to bounce him out quick and let him roll along. He loves his jumping," said Meade.
"He made a bad mistake the last day in the race won by War Of Attrition but I don't know what happened there as he rarely makes mistakes. He's getting on but he's still very useful, although it is probably best if he doesn't run too often."
Pandorama could hardly have been more impressive in taking the the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.
The five-year-old justified his skinny odds of 4 to 9 by scooting to a 12-length victory over Judge Roy Bean on his debut over jumps.
He was cut to 8 to 1 from 14s for the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival with Stan James.
Meade said: "We didn't make the running today as it is hard on horses to do that the whole time.
"He is a shade better going left-handed and he'll stick to here or Naas.
"The Barry and Sandra Memorial Novice Hurdle would be the plan now, whether he'll run in the meantime I'm not sure. The Slaney Hurdle would be another race on his agenda and if he stays right he could be anything."
Meade's haul was completed when Across The Bay (6 to 4 favourite) took the William and Gladys Bourke (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.
Catch Me ran out a convincing winner of the Grade Two Phillips Electronics Lismullen Hurdle.
Edward O'Grady's well-backed 4 to 1 shot, ridden by Andrew McNamara, easily brushed his rivals aside after making his challenge two out to beat Whatuthink by seven lengths, with Give It Time third. The six-year-old was given a 25 to 1 quote by Hills for the Champion Hurdle.
"If he's going to be entered for anything at Cheltenham it would be the Champion Hurdle, he has too much speed for the World Hurdle," said the Thurles trainer.
"The real race for him is the two and a half miler at Aintree. We'll have a look at the Hatton's Grace next.
"His jumping was better, he jumped 27 fences at home and the schooling over fences has helped him. I had it in the back of my mind to send him at that game if he disappointed here."
Meade had been denied in the "For Auction" Novice Hurdle when Fisher Bridge was worn down on the run-in by Academy Sir Harry, the 9 to 4 favourite.
Eoin Griffin's six-year-old, ridden by Barry Geraghty, stayed on the stronger to score by a length and three-quarters.
Academy Sir Harry was quoted at 20 to 1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle with Hills, while Fisher Bridge remained unchanged at 20s.
Griffin said: "He'll need further in time but he is tough and his heart is in the right place. He wants the ground a bit better.
"I'm delighted for Joe Comerford who owns him, he leaves it all up to me and I just ring him to tell him when the horses are running."
• Following a course inspection by Turf Club officials after racing at Limerick yesterday afternoon, the track was found to be saturated and unfit for racing. As a consequence, the fixture scheduled for today has been cancelled.
