Powerstation shines at Navan
Powerstation will head to Leopardstown at Christmas after rolling back the years to record a popular victory in the Proudstown Handicap Hurdle at Navan.
Formerly placed at four Cheltenham Festivals, the Eamonn O’Connell-trained 11-year-old built on last month’s Clonmel third with a battling length and a half success over He’llberemembered at odds of 14-1, for his first success since May last year.
O’Connell said: “He ran well at Clonmel the last day and I knew he was right today. Even though he is 11, he is still a fresh little horse and he’ll go for the Woodies Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas.
“He is a stone higher in England so there’s no point going over there and he may go back over fences later in the season.”
Foildubh is also Leopardstown-bound after recapturing the winning thread in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Chase.
Second to Quel Esprit at Naas before finding Grade Two company a little too hot at Punchestown last month, John Ryan’s largely unconsidered 7-1 chance cruised into contention three out and settled down to battle it out with the rallying Jim Will Fix It.
Robbie Colgan did not have to get overly serious on run to the line to keep that rival two and three-quarter lengths at bay. Favourite Popcorn proved a major disappointment.
Ryan said: “Foildubh goes for the big novice (Irish Racing Post Novice Chase) at Leopardstown over Christmas now and is well entitled to go for it.
“He’ll appreciate better ground – I walked the track this morning and is was not as bad as I thought it would be. Robbie thought he could make a Grand National horse one day.”
Dedigout looks another fine prospect for Gigginstown House Stud after handsomely defying a winner’s penalty in the Meath Novice Hurdle.
In command from the outset under Davy Russell, the giant son of Bob Back was briefly passed down the far side as Springfield Way took up the running.
But Russell muscled his way back to prominence on the Tony Martin-trained Dedigout coming to the third-last, and the relentless galloper was not for catching.
Mart Lane stuck on well for second but was three and a half lengths down on the heavily-backed 7-4 favourite at the line.
Martin said: “Dedigout is a nice horse who likes winter ground and stays well. I think he’ll make a lovely chaser this time next year.”
