Davids Lad chalks up hat-trick

Davids Lad followed up his Irish Grand National triumph when completing a hat-trick for trainer Tony Martin in the £30,000 EBF…

Davids Lad followed up his Irish Grand National triumph when completing a hat-trick for trainer Tony Martin in the £30,000 EBF Novice handicap Chase Final at Navan.

Held up for his customary late challenge, Davids Lad shrugged off top weight of 12 stone in the hands of English-based Irishman Timmy Murphy to end his campaign in style.

"He's going on his holidays and we will bring him in for an autumn campaign, probably missing out on the winter months, and we will look at something during the Cheltenham meeting in November for him," said trainer Martin.

Davids Lad was the 5-4 favourite and came with a steady surge in the home straight to give 21pounds and a seven-length beating to the outsider of his three rivals, Ceoil Agus Craic, which had attempted to make all the running.

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Norman Williamson's fall at Aintree on Friday evening, which left him shaken and on the sidelines for a few days, cost him two winners at Navan for the Edward O'Grady stable with which he has such a profitable alliance.

Garrett Cotter, later stood down for a week after a heavy fall, had replaced Williamson on 7-1 newcomer Clooneen in the second division of the maiden hurdle to start the O'Grady double.

Never More, in the colours of O'Grady's mother Mary, took the Beginners Chase in style with champion jockey Barry Geraghty this time deputising for Williamson as they proved much too quick for the favourite, Embellished