YESTERDAY'S very testing ground at Navan for the meeting rescheduled from Saturday held no terrors for the Aidan O'Brien trained Moohono, who opened her winning account over timber in the Boardsmill Handicap Hurdle. Partnered by Charlie Swan, the little mare, who won two bumper races on contrasting going in the summer, got the upperhand of the Paul Carberry ridden Native Status before rising to the last and ran on well to win this three miles event by a length and a half.
The hot favourite Amble Speedy, who finished just ahead of Moohono when runner up to Bohemian Castle at Leopardstown recently, finished a disappointing seventh. Cavalier d'Or and Professor Strong, who are also trained by Arthur Moore and started favourite for their respective races, also disappointed though the latter might have won the handicap chase but for pitching badly on landing over the fifth last.
Klairon Davis, who injured some muscles in a shoulder at the fifth fence at Punchestown last week, is "progressing" according to Moore but the trained added that he will not know if the chaser will, be all right for Cheltenham until the end of the week. Moore had hoped to run Klairon Davis at Naas on the 24th of this month as a prelude to the Champion Chase.
Metastasio won the opening Boyerstown Maiden Hurdle in the style of a real mudlark. However, his Dundalk trainer Gerry McArdle said the heavy ground was his one concern and he will be hoping for better going at Leopardstown next Sunday when he is anxious to run him again to see just how good he is.
Ridden by Harry Rogers the winner raced clear to the last flight and stayed on well to beat No News by three lengths. The odds on Cavalier d'Or made some ground to the straight but floundered on the down hill run and dropped back.
Metastasio had previously finished a ten lengths third behind the 7lb conceding Magical Lady on similar going at Leopardstown last month. He is due to meet the latter's stable companion Shaunies Lady next Sunday.
The lightly raced Perspex Gale could hardly have won the Donore Beginners Chase, with more aplomb. Ridden by Richard Dunwoody the Mickey Flynn trained mare was prominent throughout and was well clear after jumping the second last. Successful in a point to point at Fairyhouse last spring this was her first racecourse win. By Strong Gale out of the Kerry National winner Perspex Pride, the winner is qualified to run in the final of the mare's novice series at Uttoxeter in mid March. Australian rider Mick Patton was given a six day suspension for making insufficient effort on Young Wolf.
The Michael Kauntze trained Make An Effort, confidently ridden by his daughter Sophia, made all the running to win the Suhill Handicap Hurdle by four lengths. This was the rider's third winner over timber and 10th in all.
Paul Carberry rode his father's charge Sorry About That to win the Nobber Handicap Chase narrowly from the ground devouring Damodar, who lost his place because of a bad mistake at the last ditch.
If Ascot is called off tomorrow Edward O'Grady may reroute Sound Man to Newbury next Saturday for the Game Spirit Chase. The Champion Chase favourite, who is not due to leave for Ascot until tomorrow morning, has a further option in the QK Cold Stores Newlands Chase at Naas on the 24th of this month which has already been earmarked for Strong Platinum's Champion Chase preliminary outing. O'Grady may be reluctant to take on Strong Platinum with Sound Man at this stage but if Ascot and Newbury fall to snow or frost he will have no further option if he needs to give his charge a preparation race for Cheltenham.
