Navan report: Golden Cross rewarded Johnny Murtagh's morning dash from Dubai with a victory at Navan yesterday that nevertheless had odds-on backers biting their nails. The Michael Halford-trained star opened at 1 to 3 for the McCabe Boyne Hurdle but made such heavy weather of beating Florida Coast that there was a massive 20 to 1 momentarily available in running on the exchanges in the closing stages.
Ultimately, though, Murtagh coaxed Golden Cross to a length-and-a-half success and jockey and trainer were inclined to downplay the fact he looked second best for much of the straight. "He was very relaxed and will be better for the run. He had to get a reminder to remember he was back racing," said Murtagh.
The triple Derby-winning jockey arrived in Dublin airport at 9.30am and was back there afterwards for the 6.30pm flight to Dubai where he is riding at the carnival.
Halford confirmed the Ladbrokes World Hurdle is next on Golden Cross's agenda but warned: "I wouldn't risk him on real fast ground after the leg problem he had."
He added: "He'll be better in a more competitive race and he has answered any questions about him staying. He just had no company there and was lazy."
Bookmaker reaction was to leave Golden Cross unchanged for Cheltenham at a general 7 to 1 although William Hill's response to yesterday's race was to cut Asian Maze, who ran on Saturday, to 7 to 1 also.
There may have been only six runners in the Ladbrokes.com Flyingbolt Chase but there was no lack of incident behind the all-the-way winner Mansony. Court Leader fell at the first and jockey Barry Geraghty was stood down until Wednesday after being kicked in the buttocks. Greenhall Rambler unseated later in the race and Tony McCoy fell from Monjoyau at the third last. In contrast Mansony made only one slight mistake at the fifth last and Ladbrokes halved his Arkle odds for Cheltenham to 25 to 1.
"I wouldn't rule the Arkle out but we'll have to think about it," said Arthur Moore. "His last run in the Arkle at Leopardstown was a disaster in every way but it's good to have him back on track."
Joe Craig's Beef Or Salmon colours were carried to success in the Ten Up Chase by Church Island who is a general 20 to 1 shot for the SunAlliance at Cheltenham. "He'll go for the SunAlliance. He hadn't been right since Christmas but is back to form now and I've said to Joe we might have a problem next year!" said trainer Michael Hourigan.
The Co Wexford trainer Olivia Byrne saddled her first racecourse winner when Denis O'Regan guided Twilight Trix to a 33 to 1 success in the maiden hurdle that paid 167 to 1 on the Tote. Despite the odds the trainer's husband Frank had 100 at 100 to 1 about the winner whose only previous competitive experience was also successful in a Tinahely point-to-point three years ago. "He's the reason I took out a licence but he got injured after winning the point," said Byrne.
The even-money favourite, Corrigeenroe, hung to the right in the straight and managed only third but was afterwards found to be lame.
The Co Monaghan trainer Oliver Brady was in typically vocal form after Maralan smoothly beat Tipper Road in the handicap hurdle and could give the horse another start next weekend in an attempt to get him into the County Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Flowonlovelyriver entered some ante-post lists for the Cheltenham bumper at 14 to 1 after making all the running under James O'Farrell to win the last by 25 lengths from Tango Jim.
