Aidan O'Brien latest on The Gurkha and US Ranger

A review of the rest of Navan where The Gurkha stated his Classic case and Aidan O'Brien had an update on US Ranger.

Aasheq was a disappointment as The Gurkha stretched right away with the Kilberry (C & G) Maiden at Navan.

The former had been second to Investec Derby favourite US Army Ranger in what looked a hot maiden at the Curragh but while quickening into contention two and a half furlongs out, he could never get to Moore on The Gurkha, who was never out of cruise control.

Completing a treble for the Aidan O'Brien team, The Gurkha came forward markedly from his Leopardstown third on debut as he strode on in impressive fashion from the front, slamming Saafarr by nine lengths.

Rabbie The Bard was third, with 8-11 market leader Aasheq fading to be well beaten.

Paddy Power eased US Army Ranger by a point to 5-1 for Epsom, installing The Gurkha at 16-1.

O'Brien said: "He had a good draw and it worked out lovely. Seamie (Heffernan) loved him at Leopardstown, he was mad about him when he came in and Ryan was mad about him there.

"We thought he might be a French Guineas horse, he came forward lovely and you'd be delighted with him today.

"He's only a baby but probably learned a lot the first day, even though he got beaten. If we could get one (another run) in between we would, but it's not essential.

"I asked Ryan if he'd get further (than a mile) - he said a mile and a quarter but he wasn't sure after that. He's a horse with a lot of pace, I wouldn't be sure about a mile and a half.

"It's Ryan's first time here and he was very complimentary about the track."

He added of US Army Ranger: "That's the route we're going with US Army Ranger and always was - the Curragh, then a trial, then Epsom.

"He has an option between Chester and the Derrinstown and it's very possible he will go to Chester. There's a big atmosphere there, with tight bends and he has to learn a lot in a short space of time."

The earlier win for Hyzenthlay was officially for O'Brien but in effect was a first two-year-old winner for son Joseph, who supervised her preparation at the family's Piltown base in County Kilkenny.

O'Brien junior said: "She was going nicely and showing plenty of speed. It was our first two-year-old to run from the hill (in Piltown) and we were not sure what kind of marker we had on them.

"We weren't going to run her because of the ground. She might be a stakes-type filly."

O'Brien senior's second winner was Pretty Perfect in the Listed Salsabil Stakes (see separate race report).

Denise Foster enjoyed a notable big-race success as Lily's Rainbow won the Listed Heritage Stakes over a mile.

On a day where those racing prominently fared particularly well, Billy Lee's mount soon led, in company with Dragon Fei and Flight Risk close behind in third.

The 16-1 chance held a clear advantage a furlong and a half out and stayed on strongly to score by three and a quarter lengths from Brendan Brackan.

Lee said: "That was brilliant, to be fair to Denise she said she was well, she has form on the ground and she stays well. There was no pace, so I was happy to let her bowl along in front and she enjoyed it.

"I knew she had a bit left in the tank and she galloped all the way to the line. You have to grind it out in that ground and she gets a mile and a quarter well."

Foster, who currently has five horses in training, was recording her first win at Listed level.

She said: "She's a completely different filly this year. She is so much more relaxed both at home and in the way she runs.

"I can't believe it, but the one thing she has is a huge heart and she kept finding more and more.

"I was really happy with her in the last few weeks, but I was just hoping she could finish third."

The prominently-ridden theme continued as Misty Millie powered away with the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden.

Another to hail from a small yard, this time Peter Cluskey, the once-raced daughter of Dylan Thomas took full advantage of the withdrawal of favourite Creme De La, who refused to go into the stalls.

Ryan Moore and the debutant Earring tried to make a race of it, but Colin Keane always had matters in hand and the 16-1 winner went further and further clear in the final furlong.

Cluskey said: "We thought it was a good maiden she ran in at Gowran last back end, and we thought with the ground drying out we'd take our chance and see what we have.

"I have four horses, it's great to have one like that and I think the owner is keen to hang on to her.

"I hope the handicapper is kind to me!"

The closing Navan Adventure Sports And Driving Range Handicap went to the Seamie Heffernan ridden Next Bend (8-1).