Chicago Grey causes major upset at Navan

Chicago Grey boosted his claims for the John Smith's Grand National when springing a 25-1 surprise in the Red Mills Chase at Navan.

The Gordon Elliott-trained outsider of four led between the last two fences before going on to defeat Foildubh cosily in this two-and-a-half-mile heat.

Rubi Light set out to make all the running in his bid to lift this Grade Two prize for the third successive year, but he never looked like winning after being headed before the third-last.

Hidden Cyclone also disappointed and he too was well-beaten when he fell at the final fence.

Meanwhile, Chicago Grey travelled kindly for Davy Condon and was too strong for Foildubh in the closing stages, although the pair were separated by the width of the track.

Elliott said of his two-and-a-half-length winner: "I thought he'd run well. He's had a wind-op and obviously the Grand National is the plan now.

"The ground was soft and it played into his hands. He'll go straight for the National now and I'd say the wind-op made a big difference to him."

On His Own (10-1), trained by Willie Mullins, also enhanced his Grand National prospects when making a winning return in the Ladbrokes Boyne Hurdle.

While his odds-on stablemate Thousand Stars trailed home last of the six runners, the Graham Wylie-owned nine-year-old could not have done any more on his first race since last April's Aintree showpiece.

Si C'Etait Vrai made a bold attempt to make all, but he could not match On His Own's challenge under Paul Townend from the last two flights.

However, the Gigginstown House Stud-owned chaser plugged on gamely to hold Un Beau Matin, in the same colours, for second place.

Mullins said of his two-and-a-quarter-length winner: "I've been trying to find a suitable hurdle race for him. He was a novice (over hurdles) before today but he's won a nice prize over hurdles now.

"Coming here today, the plan was to give him another run over fences before the National but after winning today, we might review that and he could have another run over hurdles."

Mullins blamed the ground for the poor showing from Thousand Stars.

"Ruby (Walsh) said he just couldn't handle the ground. He came back in with muck halfway up his knees and just seemed to sink into it," he said.

"He's unlikely to run at Cheltenham as the Aintree Hurdle is the one race we really have in mind for him."

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