Noel Meade, currently second to Aidan O'Brien in the trainers' championship, completed a highly successful weekend when, after Cockney Lad's Cork victory, Heist won the Troytown Handicap Chase in a thrilling finish at Navan yesterday.
Heist, runner-up in this event last year and ridden for the first time by Jason Titley, landed the £15,000 Grade two event in a photo finish. Gimme Five, the winner of the race in 1995, Macnamarasband and the winner were in the air together at the last, and Heist prevailed by a head from Macnamarasband under a superb drive from Titley.
"He worked very well during the week with Cockney Lad, and Jason gave him a super ride," said Meade. "The Paddy Power Handicap Chase at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting is on the agenda, and he could then have a break before a crack at the Irish National."
Norman Williamson, rider of Macnamarasband, dominated the remainder of the meeting with a 506 to 1 treble. The Cork-born jockey had an armchair ride aboard Impulsive Dream in the Crossakiel Maiden Hurdle, drawing clear from two out to beat Tory Lad. Williamson followed up on Treanaree in the Beechmount Handicap Hurdle, a first winner for Kilkenny-based permit holder Eoin Griffin. The Callernish gelding hit the front smoothly at the penultimate flight and had enough in reserve to hold The Grey Mare by two lengths.
Blue Irish completed the treble in the EBF Beginners Chase. The son of Roselier, a first winner of the season for trainer Sue Bramall, took advantage of a bad blunder by the favourite, Guest Performance, two out to score by 12 lengths.
At Cork on Saturday, Cockney Lad, ridden by Barry Geraghty, completed a hat-trick when taking the Morgiana Hurdle. Geraghty produced the winner off a slow pace to lead on the runin for a two and a half length victory over Just Little.
"I told Barry to hold him up no matter how slow they went, and the race was probably run to suit our fellow. He will run next in the Hattons Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on November 30th," said Noel Meade.
Ken Whelan, who was seen to great effect aboard Fiftyseven channels at Cheltenham on Friday, completed a double in the two chases on the card, highlighted by Bavard Jet's sound round of jumping to beat Magical Approach by two lengths in the Craddockstown Novice Chase.
Aidan O'Brien went one better on the day, saddling a treble to bring his score for the season to 50. Charlie Swan shared in the two hurdle winners for O'Brien, making all on Carbon Wood in the Mitsubishi McCarthy TV Electrical Novice Hurdle and getting King Of Kerry up virtually on the line to deny Kilbue King in the EPS Handicap Hurdle. The O'Brien treble was completed with the workmanlike success of Southern Man in the bumper.
Buddy Marvel maintained his unbeaten record over timber in effortless fashion in the opening hurdle. John McLoughlin's charge cruised to the front two out, and was eased right down in the closing stages to beat Pixie Dancer by three lengths.
