Briar Hill brushes sole rival aside

Long odds-on favourite Briar Hill brushed aside the challenge of sole rival Azorian to land the Grade 1 Navan Novice Hurdle in Navan yesterday.

The Shantou gelding, winner of the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltemnham, provided record-breaking champion trainer Willie Mullins with a third consecutive win in an event which turned into a match due to the withdrawal of Noel Meade’s two intended runners, Apache Stronghold (foot abscess) and Very Wood (off feed).

Brian Hill, in the colours of Graham and Andrea Wylie, dictated the pace under Ruby Walsh but never looked happy in front while his rival ran off the bend after the fifth flight.