Big race win at navan for kilmessan trainer

Kilmessan trainer Matthew Smith enjoyed a big race success at his local Navan track today when his unconsidered 25/1 chance Rawnaq landed the prestigious Grade 2 Flyingbolt Novice Chase for Ashbourne jockey Andrew Lynch who enjoyed a double at the Proudstown venue.

There was Meath flavour to the winner of each of the seven races on the card, but this was definitely a day to remember for the Kilmessan handler.

Rawnaq was in front at the third last and after he was headed got back on terms at the final fence.

Lynch got a winning surge from Rawnaq on the run-in to win from the Enda Bolger-trained Gilgamboa.

'I was more hopeful than confident, but Rawnaq likes it around here, Andrew said it was right to run him over this trip on that ground, but on better ground he'd stay three miles,' commented the trainer.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Gilgamboa at the request of the Stewards and reported a cut to his off hind pastern.

Regarding Meath dominance of the card, Lynch won the opening maiden hurdle for trainer Michael O'Hare, Tony Martin won the valuable Boyne Hurdle with Dediogout, Batterstown handler Edward Cawley won the handicap hurdle with Forever Gold.

Smith then won the fourth race with Rawnaq and that was followed by a victory for Noel Meade in the other big chase, the Ten Up, with Very Wood.

Young Ardcath jockey Ger Fox landed his second winner of the week in the Opportunity Handicap Hurdle with Peoples Park for trainer Tom Taaffe.

In the last race, Gordon Elliott / Nina Carberry won the bumper.

The Tote returns showe a 10 per cent increase to €224,000 compared to the same meeting 12 months ago.