Walsh moves to 106 with double

Navan report: Ruby Walsh completed a double at Navan yesterday, winning both the featured Grade Two contests on Cheltenham-bound horses.

Walsh kicked things off with a win on Young Desperado in the Kevin McManus Flyingbolt Novice Steeplechase before doubling up on Snowy Morning in the Ladbrokes Ten Up Novice Steeplechase, who provided the jockey with his 106th winner for the season.

Trainer Robert Tyner's amazingly successful season continues. Young Desperado's win was the Co Cork trainer's 14th winner of the season. The son of Un Desperado tracked leader Blueberry Boy before moving through to lead four out, and although stumbling on landing at the second last, stayed on well when strongly pressed by runner-up King Johns Castle, for a three and a half length success.

Afterwards Tyner said: "We tried a change of tactics here because making the running with Young Desperado would only play into the hands of the others." He added: "I always thought he wanted a trip but he didn't travel well at all the last day. That win will ensure he gets into the handicap for the Dewson Novice Handicap Chase at Cheltenham and he'll probably run there."

Walsh's second winner came on Willie Mullins' Snowy Morning in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase. Walsh gave the son of Moscow Society a typically patient ride, producing Snowy Morning to lead approaching the final fence, eventually staying on well for a four lengths win over 6 to 4 favourite Gazza's Girl.

Mullins said: "Snowy Morning is entered in a few races at Cheltenham but will probably go for the Sun Alliance Novice Chase."

Sean Grahams Bookmakers later cut Snowy Morning into 20 to 1 (from 40 to 1) for the Sun Alliance Novice Chase.

James Bowe's Sweet Kiln recorded her seventh career win when justifying odds of 8 to 13 in the McCabe Builders Boyne Hurdle.

Ridden by Davy Russell, Sweet Kiln was settled in third, before moving through to lead after the second last, staying on gamely for an eight-length win over Rosaker.

A delighted Michael Bowe, son of the winning trainer, commented: "Davy is a genius and gave her a great ride. I gave him little or no instructions but he knows the mare inside-out."

He added "there is no race for Sweet Kiln in the next few weeks so we might have to wait for Fairyhouse or Punchestown with her next."