Navan report: The Grand National winning team of Niall "Slippers" Madden and Martin Brassil teamed up for another big race success at Navan yesterday as Nickname pounced late to land the Grade Two Fortria Chase.
In contrast to Numbersixvalverde's marathon slog at Aintree in April, yesterday's two-mile feature was all about quick accurate jumping and Nickname wasn't found wanting as he hauled in the front-running Central House by three-quarters of a length.
Last of the five runners was Fota Island, partnered by Nickname's usual rider Conor O'Dwyer, and not surprisingly, it was Madden that Brassil turned to for a valuable winning spare ride.
Madden celebrated his 21st birthday on Saturday and summed up his late present with a grin: "That'll do me!" Nickname, a Grade One in his native France, made his name in Ireland as a front runner but he rewarded Madden's patient tactics in style.
"Before he came to me, he wasn't known as a horse who made the running and there was always going to be loads of pace there today," said Brassil who is eyeing the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown for Nickname's next start.
"Those couple of runs he had against experienced horses last season helped him. You couldn't afford to miss one out there."
Brassil also confirmed that Numbersixvalverde will reappear in a three-mile handicap hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Clopf might not be long making his name at the top level as the Edward O'Grady-trained novice landed the Grade Three For Auction Hurdle in sparkling style.
Barry Geraghty took the race by the scruff of the neck before half way and Clopf was never off the bridle to beat his old rival Aitmatov by a dozen lengths. It was enough for some firms to make Clopf, who was also bred by O'Grady, as low as 8 to 1 market leader for the Supreme at Cheltenham in March.
"I hope to be making a Supreme entry in due course. He looks a very natural jumper and I think he can only get better," said O'Grady who later doubled up with Odarshaan in the handicap. "Barry is sweet on him and I hope we can go next for the Royal Bond."
Niall Madden was severely cautioned by the stewards after this race with the authorities deciding he had ridden the fifth horse, Sky To Sea, "improperly." Al Eile started odds-on for the Philips Electronics Lismullen Hurdle but a mistake at the fourth last didn't help his chance and he was afterwards found to have scoped abnormally.
Instead it was Rosaker who came home in front to repeat his 2003 success when he had no less than Hardy Eustace behind him.
"He twisted a joint after he won at Christmas and he has been doing a lot of swimming. He does run well fresh though," said Rosaker's trainer Noel Meade.
"He does fret a lot and doesn't travel well which might explain why he probably runs better here than anywhere else. The Woodies at Christmas will be the target."
Meade and Paul Carberry also combined for Major Stampi in the maiden hurdle as the joint favourite overhauled La Marianne by half a length while the champion trainer completed a treble in the bumper where Mick The Man cantered to victory.
King Johns Castle rewarded favourite backers in style in the Beginners Chase and Arthur Moore hopes to bring the grey back to Navan next month for a winners' race.
