Navan report:Tony Martin's ability to inflict grievous financial harm on bookmakers has been a notable feature of the Co Meath trainer's career to date and Royal County Star's dramatic success in yesterday's €100,000 William Hill Troytown Chase at Navan proved Martin's eye for a gamble is still well intact.
Morning prices of 7 to 1 for one of Irish chasing's traditional prestige pots were quickly gobbled up and Royal County Star started 100 to 30 favourite for what is usually one of the winter's most competitive events.
This time, however, there was an inevitability to the way Martin's coup prospect travelled throughout the race that those populating the bookies ring will have recognised only too well. Their only glimpse of hope came when Royal County Star cannoned into News Item at the second last. That gave Gazza's Girl an extra lead that thankfully for punters only lasted to the run -in where Robbie Colgan pounced on the favourite.
"I got some fright at the second last but Robbie was very good. When I couldn't have Carberry or Walsh, I had no hesitation in going for Colgan. He's as good as there is around," said Martin whose latest star chaser is rated a 25 to 1 shot for next year's Aintree National with yesterday's big-race sponsor.
Asked the tongue-in-cheek question if he was getting sick of winning big handicaps, Martin's laughing response will provide little comfort for those who were standing behind him in the betting ring: "Sure, isn't it great to see those f-----s in there getting cleaned!"
The Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown would look to provide an ideal bookie-cleaning opportunity over Christmas although the Welsh National at Chepstow is another holiday option for Royal County Star. However, Martin stressed: "I don't want to commit him to anything because if the ground gets very heavy we might just step back with him. He might be a horse for the Irish National in the spring too, so we'll see. But it worked to a tee today."
Noel Meade's Mac Three sustained fatal injuries in a second-fence fall in the big race but there was a better outcome in the preceding maiden hurdle where the champion trainer won with another favourite, Mr Muji, and he also picked up the Beginners Chase with Charlie Yardbird.
Meade is targeting Saturday's Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle with two of his Grade One horses and said: "Harchibald will definitely run if the ground is okay and Jazz Messenger will probably go too. He got a cut to a leg which puffed up but if that settles down, he'll run alright."
Maureen Danagher has just three horses in her Co Limerick stables but they are all winners and Rathmore Castle's narrow defeat of Gem Daly in the Grade Three Monksfield Hurdle indicates he could be a leading novice during the winter.
Danagher worked for Michael Hourigan for 21 years and also used to look after the star 1980 Arkle-winning mare, Anaglogs Daughter. Her own first winner came just three years ago but she now has the Grade One Barry & Sandra Kelly Hurdle back at Navan in her sights. "If it gets very soft we might change our minds. We were worried about the ground today but he does seem to like this place," she said.
Yesterday's official ground was "yielding" but many trainers believed it was better than that and a total of 14 horses were withdrawn because of the ground conditions.
