Doctor Steinberg leads Navan hat-trick for Mullins team

Doctor Steinberg highlighted a Navan treble for Willie and Danny Mullins by landing the featured Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Navan Novice Hurdle.

Ridden to great effect by Danny Mullins, Doctor Steinberg (3-1) had to battle running down to the penultimate flight but he was ultimately on top by the final obstacle and came home four and three-quarter lengths clear of Thedeviluno with Kovanis back in third.

Port Authority was sent off the evens favourite but he finished last of the four runners.

Danny Mullins said: “I’d say the usual story, just a very good horse. He jumped well, went and galloped, and was very tough.

“Even going to the second-last, I was conscious of getting lower in the saddle and have him rolling up the hill.

“He put it to bed nicely from the back of the last.”

Paddy Power make Doctor Steinberg a 16-1 chance from 33s for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle and when asked if that race could suit, Mullins said: “You’d imagine so but, if you are winning over two and a half miles around here, he is not lacking that bit of speed as well.

“He’s a horse that keeps surprising us and stepping up which is a great trait.”

The same trainer-jockey duo had earlier struck with Saint Baco (5-6 favourite) in the Mervyn Gray Construction Maiden Hurdle and Predators Gold (11-2) brought up the hat-trick in the Watch Danny’s Diary @ToteRacing Beginners Chase.

Last seen when finishing third to Ballyburn at the 2024 Punchestown Festival, Predators Gold proved incredibly game in fending off Grade One-winning hurdler Slade Steel by a length and a half, with the pair pulling 10 lengths clear of the third-place favourite Wingmen.

The winning rider said: “That’s a serious performance, he’s a very good horse.

“I had ridden him in Cheltenham (fifth) and he disappointed. Patrick (Mullins) rode him back in Punchestown in a Grade One novice and finished third.

“That is a Willie Mullins masterpiece – nearly a year and a half off the track and he comes back to win a race like that, Slade Steel and Wingmen there.

“It is a fair beginners’ chase and we picked up down the straight.

“You’d imagine so (a big season for Predators Gold), that is a fine starting point there. He was competitive in Grade Ones as a novice hurdler and you’d imagine the way he jumped around there today, he should be able to do the same and step up over fences.”

Gordon Elliott took both Listed heats on the card, sending Down Memory Lane (7-2) to win the Download The Tote App Foxrock Handicap Chase, while Gringo d’Aubrelle (6-1) landed the Bective Stud, Tea Rooms & Apartments Handicap Hurdle.