NAVAN 14:15

All 8 ran. Hurdles: 12.

Time: 5m 35.9s Closing Sectional: (2.9f): 43.2s (107.1%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 114%, Betfair SP 101.3%

An up-to-scratch renewal of this Grade 2, featuring 3 of the first 4 home in last month's Galmoy Hurdle and a couple who had shown at least smart form over fences; the pace was steady for much of the contest, things only really unfolding approaching 3 out.

DEDIGOUT (IRE) was strong in the betting and followed up last month's Galmoy Hurdle success, his task made easier by Briar Hill's departure, though he still looked the most likely winner when that rival came to grief; soon steadied, jumped well in main, travelled well, crept closer approaching seventh, led on bridle between 3 out and 2 out, kept on well, won cosily; connections were keen to stress afterwards that any future engagements, including the World Hurdle at Cheltenham, will be ground dependent.

ZAIDPOUR (FR) back down in trip, again ran creditably; tracked pace, not fluent 4 out, ridden from next, left in a place last, stayed on, no impression on winner.

GERDAGO (IRE) seemed to excel himself, though is surely flattered by this result; waited with, mistake sixth, headway approaching straight, every chance 2 out, left second last, no extra close home.

ALDERWOOD (IRE) again shaped a bit better than the bare result, likely to have finished closer to the principals but for suffering late interference, albeit without improving his finishing position; in touch, travelled as well as any, not fluent third, close up when shaken up approaching 2 out, around 3 lengths down in fifth when hampered and left in frame last, not unduly punished; not one to write off.

THE JOB IS RIGHT back over hurdles, faced a stiff task and was readily brushed aside once the principals asserted; prominent, ridden entering straight, outpaced soon after, stayed on again latter stages, found the test inadequate; will benefit from return to 3m+.

BACK IN FOCUS (IRE) back over hurdles, unsurprisingly shaped as if needing run after 22 months off, though showed enough to suggest plenty of ability remains; led until 3 out, held when untidy next, not knocked about; will prove suited by a return to 3m+, with the Grand National at Aintree reportedly the aim.

KING OF THE PICTS (IRE) faced a stiff task; chased leaders, lost place before seventh, driven leaving back straight, soon beaten.

BRIAR HILL (IRE) back down in trip, was in process of running much better than on recent starts when coming to grief; waited with, travelled well, effort from 3 out, switched between last 2, length down and responding when fell heavily last.