NAVAN 19:45 42n73

Non Runners: KASPERENKO, EXCELCIUS (USA), QUEEN AMIDALA (IRE).

Time: 2m 10.09s Closing Sectional: (4f): 51.95s (100.2%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 128%, Betfair SP 99.5%

An up-to-scratch renewal of this valuable handicap, though this was all about one horse, Patrick Sarsfield justifying his short odds and producing a smart performance to see off a pair of fellow improvers and the previous year’s winner inside the final 1f.

PATRICK SARSFIELD (FR) well backed, showed further improvement and defied a 15 lb rise to complete his hat-trick, confirming himself a smart performer; chased leaders, travelled strongly, led 2f out, ridden approaching final 1f, reduced advantage final 150 yards but always holding on; still unexposed, he looks ready for a step up in grade now.

PESTO who had been gelded, won first time up last year and went very close again on first outing since leaving Richard Hannon after 9 months off, just finding a rapidly-improving sort too good; soon steadied, headway entering straight, chased leaders 2f out, stayed on.

KISS FOR A JEWEL (IRE) in a change of headgear, produced best effort to date back up in trip after 3 months off, making her effort from significantly further back than the pair that beat her; held up, progress from 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on.

MAGNETIC NORTH (IRE) who won this race last year under a positive ride, ran well this time around but couldn't follow up; broke well, led, travelled well, headed 2f out, kept on without looking like getting back up.

HALIMI (IRE) ran creditably after 3 months off; in touch, headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, one paced.

LATOYAH OF NORTH (IRE) left the impression she should have finished significantly closer; raced off the pace, headway when not clear run 2f out, switched 1f out, ran on.

INSIGNIA OF RANK (IRE) probably remains in form, though was never better than mid-field on this occasion.

EDIFICATION back down in trip, wasn't in the same form as last time; slowly into stride, settled mid-field, ridden over 2f out, one paced.

TARTLETTE back down in trip, wasn't helped by being trapped out wide throughout and is better judged on her previous effort for the time being; mid-division, effort early in straight, one paced.

TAURAN SHAMAN (IRE) again failed to meet expectations and suddenly finds himself with questions to answer having patently failed to see his race out on this occasion (should stay this far); in touch, headway home turn, ridden from 3f out, third 2f out, weakened.

SALTONSTALL went backwards from his highly-encouraging return; held up, came wide home turn, ridden 3f out, merely ed beaten horses.

MAJOR REWARD (IRE) followed a good run with a below-par one; mid-field, ridden 3f out, faded approaching final 1f.

ONLYHUMAN (IRE) who had run well over jumps recently, wasn't in the same form returned to this sphere; raced off the pace, switched 3f out, shaken up over 2f out, never landed a blow.

TRADING POINT (FR) was below form; in touch, ridden over 2f out, faded.

QUESTIONARE went backwards from reappearance; mid-division, lost place approaching straight, soon beaten.

HURRICANE CLIFF (IRE) failed to progress further on handicap debut, though wasn't subjected to a hard ride once held; close up until 2f out, weakened.

RAPHAEL (GER) again ran poorly; in touch, ridden early in straight, weakened.