Promising performances mark Navan card as connections plot next steps
A pair of juveniles trained by Robson Aguiar produced eye-catching wins at Navan on Thursday, while Ger Lyons’s yard also enjoyed a productive afternoon as attention begins to shift towards the big autumn fixtures, including Irish Champions Weekend.
Supreme Lord ready to stretch out after taking the opener
Supreme Lord made a strong impression in the opening Nursery on the Navan card, stepping into handicap company for the first time and pulling clear under Billy Lee. The colt had shown promise in his earlier outings and, having been sent off favourite, he delivered a decisive front-running display to win by a comfortable margin.
Trainer Robson Aguiar reported that the horse has been progressive and is still improving with experience. Connections believe there is more to come as he learns to settle and race with greater maturity, and they indicated that a step up in trip could be on the agenda after the convincing performance at seven furlongs was suggested by the jockey.
Atlantic Bridge to target a sales-restricted event at the Curragh
Aguiar doubled up later in the card when Atlantic Bridge took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. The Dubawi Legend colt, fourth on his first two starts at the Curragh, made it third time lucky when eased clear under Wayne Lordan.
Connections described Atlantic Bridge as a colt who has benefited from his first two runs and is beginning to act more like a racehorse. With further physical and mental development expected, the plan is to aim him at the Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sales Stakes at the Curragh during Irish Champions Weekend, a sales-restricted event that will suit a horse of his profile.
Lyons enjoys a double as Amiata and This That prevail
Ger Lyons and jockey Colin Keane combined for two winners on the card. Amiata landed the Navan Racing Festival Early Bird Tickets On Sale Now Handicap in a tight finish and is likely to be aimed at the Bold Lad Sprint Handicap on Irish Champions Weekend, according to his trainer. Lyons indicated the three-year-old is still physically developing and may be better targeted at similar pattern handicaps while he matures.
Stablemate This That also found the frame first past the post in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Optional Claiming Maiden, edging out the odds-on favourite Leadlight by a short head. The result underlined Lyons’s healthy hand on the day and the depth of his juveniles ready to contest autumn assignments.
Festival implications
- Navan’s card has highlighted a number of juveniles who could feature at autumn festivals, notably Irish Champions Weekend at the Curragh.
- Supreme Lord’s performance suggests he may be ready for a move up in grade and distance, a typical progression for promising two-year-olds eyeing pattern-race targets later in the season.
- Atlantic Bridge’s intended entry in the Tattersalls Ireland sales-restricted race keeps him on a logical path for a horse with connections keen to measure him against similar-bred rivals at a major meeting.
- Amiata’s likely Bold Lad Sprint Handicap entry would give him a chance to contest a high-profile handicap at the Champions Weekend, while the trainer emphasised the colt’s ongoing physical development.
With Irish Champions Weekend approaching, trainers are beginning to map out routes for juveniles coming to hand. Navan’s results provided a useful snapshot of horses progressing at different rates — some ready to step up and others being schooled towards autumn targets — and will give racegoers and festival planners items to watch as the season moves towards its highlight fixtures.
For connections, the next few weeks will be about choosing the right targets to consolidate these progressions, with the Curragh’s big weekend offering both pattern and restricted opportunities for improving two-year-olds.
